Karachi Lawyers Call Off Protest After Meeting With Sindh IG

Karachi: Lawyers in Karachi have ended their protest following a meeting between Inspector General (IG) Sindh Police Javed Alam Odho and the leadership of the Karachi Bar Association over allegations of police assault on former Karachi Bar Managing Committee member Ashfaq Abro.

The meeting was held at the Karachi Bar Association and was attended by General Secretary Muhammad Arshad Shar, members of the managing committee, AIG Operations Bashir A. Brohi, DIG South Asad Raza, SSP South, and other senior police officials.

Speaking at a joint press conference, IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho said the issue had been resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding.

“It was a minor incident that has been settled amicably. The bar, bench, and police must work together because the state can only progress when all institutions cooperate,” he said.

The IG stressed the importance of putting personal differences aside and focusing on strengthening the justice system. He also revealed that he had discussed the matter with the Interior Minister, adding that his own father was a barrister and that the incident should not damage the relationship between lawyers and the police.

Odho acknowledged that police officers can make mistakes during the course of their duties and emphasized the need for a permanent mechanism to prevent future clashes between lawyers and law enforcement.

“We should not turn minor issues into matters of ego. We must work together to serve the public, and such disputes should not harm the people,” he said.

Karachi Bar Association President Aamir Nawaz Waraich thanked the IG for personally visiting the bar association and announced that the lawyers would end their protest.

“Our only demand was the registration of a case. Since the IG himself came to meet us, we are withdrawing that demand and will not take any further action,” Waraich said.

He urged police to treat lawyers with respect whenever they visit police stations, regardless of the outcome of their work, adding that professional dignity should always be maintained.

Waraich also said that if any lawyer behaves inappropriately, the matter should be referred to the Sindh Bar Council. He, in turn, pledged to advise lawyers to maintain a respectful and professional attitude during their interactions with the police.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and work toward preventing similar incidents in the future.