Lawyers Observe Province-Wide Strike in Balochistan, Boycott Court Proceedings to Protest Terrorism
Quetta: Lawyers across Balochistan observed a province-wide strike and boycotted court proceedings on Thursday in response to a call by the Balochistan Bar Council, protesting recent terrorist attacks, the deteriorating law and order situation, and the killing of civilians and law enforcement personnel.
Wearing black armbands as a symbol of mourning and solidarity with the victims of terrorism, members of the legal fraternity demanded that the government take immediate and effective measures to restore peace and security across the province.
The boycott affected judicial proceedings throughout Balochistan, with lawyers staying away from the Balochistan High Court, district and sessions courts, civil courts, family courts, judicial magistrates’ courts, and other subordinate courts. As a result, most hearings were postponed, while only a limited number of urgent cases were taken up.
In Quetta, court premises remained largely deserted due to the complete boycott, causing inconvenience to litigants who had appeared for scheduled hearings. Lawyers paid tribute to civilians, police personnel, and other law enforcement officials who lost their lives in recent attacks.
Leaders of the Balochistan Bar Council and various bar associations said the province has suffered from terrorism and violence for years, resulting in significant loss of life and growing public insecurity. They stressed that the legal community could not remain silent in the face of recent attacks.
The lawyers reiterated their commitment to upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, justice, and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights, while strongly condemning terrorism, extremism, and all forms of violence.
The Bar Council called on the government and law enforcement agencies to conduct transparent investigations into the recent attacks, bring those responsible and their facilitators to justice, and implement comprehensive and long-term security measures to safeguard the lives and property of citizens throughout the province.
