Wednesday saw Lahore’s GPO Chowk transformed into a scene of conflict as riot police clashed with protesting lawyers attempting to enter the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Efforts by the lawyers to gain access to the high court were met with resistance from law enforcement, who employed baton charges, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
According to reports, the situation escalated as lawyers, including members from the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), demanded the dismissal of a terrorism case against their colleagues and voiced opposition to the relocation of a court to a new site.
The correspondent noted that numerous lawyers were arrested and injured during the police intervention, with members of the press, law enforcement personnel, and bystanders also caught in the crossfire.
Despite efforts at negotiation, there has been no resolution to the standoff between police and lawyers, as reported by the correspondent on-site.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz weighed in on the situation, stating that she had instructed Inspector General Dr. Usman Anwar to avoid the use of force against the lawyers.
“Lawyers should seek to resolve their grievances with the LHC through peaceful means. It is imperative for the safety of Lahore’s citizens that confrontation be avoided,” she emphasized in a statement shared on X platform.
