Lawyers across country protest Quetta carnage

ISLAMABAD: Countrywide protests were held and court proceedings were boycotted against the killing of 73 lawyers and journalists in Quetta on Monday, criticising the government for its failure to check terrorism despite so-called implementation of the National Action Plan.

Lawyer bodies of Rawalpindi and Islamabad observed a complete strike. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) registrar, in the light of directions issued by IHC Chief Justice Anwar Khan Kasi, reviewed the security situation of the court building and subordinate courts of Islamabad.

A general body meeting of the Islamabad lawyers bodies was held in Martyrs Hall of the F-8 District Courts, attended by members of Islamabad District Bar Association, Islamabad High Court Bar Association and members of the IBC. The meeting was also participated by a delegation of the SCBA with its president Barrister Ali Zafar.

Later, lawyers offered Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza for the deceased of August 8 Quetta incident. The LHC bar has scheduled a meeting with Justice Ibad-ur-Rehman Lodhi on Wednesday (today) to discuss the security situation ofobserved black day against the Quetta carnage. Addressing a meeting, Multan High Court Bar Association President Sheikh Jamshed Hayat said there was no security for the legal fraternity, particularly in the restive areas like Balochistan. District Bar Association President Azimul Haq Pirzada demanded financial compensation for the families of those killed in the suicide blast.

Meanwhile, Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen announced a three-day mourning to condemn the Quetta carnage. In Faisalabad, the District Bar Association observed complete strike against the Quetta tragedy. The lawyers also boycotted the court proceedings.

In Pakpattan, District Bar Association Pakpattan and Tehsil Bar Association Arifwala members observed a complete strike against the Quetta attack.

In Burewala, the bar association members observed a complete strike against the Quetta blast, which claimed 73 lives. In Arifwala and Chakwal, lawyers observed a strike to express their resentment against the Quetta incident.

Lawyers in Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Liaqatpur, Ahmadpur East, Yazman, Khairpur Tamiwali, Hasilpur, Chishtian, Haroonabad, Fort Abbas and Minchinabad also observed strike.

In Jaranwala, Gujranwala and Nankana Sahib, lawyers did not attend the court proceedings in protest against Quetta killings. In Hyderabad also, outraged by Monday’s terrorist attack in Quetta, the lawyer community boycotted proceedings of courts and wore black armbands.

Meanwhile, in various cities of the country, journalists mourned the death of their colleagues in Quetta blast. Journalists of Badin Press Club Tuesday protested against the Quetta massacre and raised slogans for the security of journalists. Responding to the call of Pakistan Federation Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the local body Nawabshah Union of Journalists (NUJ) staged a protest outside press club on Tuesday and demanded Rs5 million as compensation for heirs of each journalist. 

Meanwhile, death toll of Quetta suicide blast rose to 72 after two injured including a lawyer and a 14-year old boy succumbed to their injuries at Combined Military Hospital, Quetta.

The official sources said that Naqibullah and a 14-year old boy who suffered splinter injuries in the suicide bomb explosion took place outside the Emergency Ward of Sandeman Civil Hospital Quetta Monday were brought to CMH Quetta for medical treatment. The condition of the injured was critical and they were given medical treatment but could not survive, doctors said. 

The bomb disposal squad said steel ball bearings were used in the explosive vest which was detonated by the suicide bomber. Splinters spread and killed a large number of lawyers and journalists beside others at the spot, as the suicide bomber detonated himself amid the gathering, an official of the Bomb Disposal Squad said. 

Meanwhile, some official sources at Sandeman Civil Hospital, Quetta, claimed that due to shortage of emergency, medical aid equipment especially which were used for oxygen supply to patients who suffered splinters injuries in the attack or gunshot in firing, adding that due to which the injured of the blast were shifted to CMH. 

Two lawyers from Chaman who were killed in suicide bomb blast at civil hospital Quetta were laid to rest in the border town graveyard Tuesday after their funeral rituals were offered in

Chaman. The bodies of advocate Askar Achakzai and Aimal Khan were brought from Quetta to Chaman and their Namaz-i-Janaza was offered which was attended by a large number of people. Askar Achakzai was brother of Asghar Achakzai, the provincial president of Awami National Party. Meanwhile, shutterdown strike was observed in Chaman and adjoining areas to mourn the killings of lawyers journalists and locals. 

Balochistan Inspector General Ahsan Mehboob has formed special committee to conduct a probe into the suicide bomb blast at Civil Hospital Quetta. A spokesman of the Balochistan police said Tuesday a high level meeting presided by IG Police reviewed aspects of the blast and formed committees including a special investigation committee to conduct probe. 

The meeting was attended by Additional IG Ayyub Qureshi, Additional IG and Commandant Balochistan Constabulary Dr Mujibur Rehman, RPO and DIG Operations DIG Special Branch DIG Anti-Terrorism Department SPP Operations and SSP Investigation. 

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Tuesday visited City Court to review security measures. On the occasion, the chief minister was accompanied by Barrister Murtaza Wahab, AIG Karachi Mushtaq Mahar and other senior officials. The AIG briefed the chief minister about the security measures of court. Murad Shah also visited the parking gate of court and the nearest market. Moreover, Murad also visited the DJ Science College where he met with principal of the college. 

National Party Tuesday arranged a protest against Quetta incident to show solidarity with the victims of the tragic incident at National Press Club. Addressing the protesters, leaders of the National Party said the incident was against humanity as several innocent people lost their lives. 

National Party Punjab President Ayub Malik said all political parties should be united and raise one voice against terrorism. He asked PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT Dr Tahirul Qadri to avoid politics of confrontation. 

A complete shutter down strike was observed in the provincial capital to protect against the suicide bomb blast at civil hospital Quetta. Shops markets commercial and trade centers remained closed here on Tuesday. 

Anjuman Tajran Balochistan Anjuman Tajran Quetta and other trade unions gave call for shutter strike. All main bazaars and commercial centers remained closed to mourn the killing of lawyers journalists, said Naseer Tareen, president of Anjuman Tajran Quetta City. 

Holiday was announced at all educational institutions to mourn civil hospital tragedy. University of Balochistan Bahadur Khan Women University Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences and others educational institutions were also closed, said Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal, the minister of education. 

Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri said the law enforcement agencies will carry out combing operations wherever there is presence of terrorists in the province. Talking to media persons after visiting the injured at Civil Hospital Tuesday, he said the government will fight till the last terrorist is eliminated. He said terrorists have destroyed a generation of Balochistan. 

Zehri said they would firmly stand against terrorists. In reply to a question he reiterated that RAW was behind the blast and said the government has provided proof of its activities in Balochistan.