ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Tensions escalated at the Lahore High Court on Wednesday as lawyers from the Lahore High Court Bar Association rallied against the proposed division of civil courts, leading to a violent confrontation with law enforcement.
The protest took a chaotic turn when participants attempted to enter the high court premises, prompting clashes between police personnel and lawyers.
According to witnesses, the situation escalated rapidly as both sides engaged in physical altercations. Police resorted to using tear gas shelling and baton-charge to disperse the crowd, leading to further chaos and unrest. The lawyers responded with pelting stones on the police.
Amidst the chaos, at least eight lawyers were reportedly arrested by the police.
In a bid to control the situation, the police closed all the doors of the high court, effectively sealing off the premises. Additionally, police deployed water cannons to deter the protesting lawyers, resulting in a tense stand-off between the two parties.
SSP (Operations) Ali Raza claimed that the lawyers initiated the clash by pelting stones, after which police started shelling. He added that negotiations with the lawyers’ representatives were being held.
The lawyers’ protest was prompted by concerns over the proposed division of civil courts, a move that has been met with resistance from legal professionals.