The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) has voiced its deep alarm and condemnation following a series of violent attacks targeting members of the legal community across the nation. In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the association's leadership highlighted the grim pattern of violence that has resulted in the deaths of several advocates.
SCBAP Names Victims, Condemns Pattern of Violence
In a joint declaration, SCBAP President Haroon Ur Rashid, Secretary Malik Zahid Aslam Awan, and the entire 28th Executive Committee specifically condemned the murders of three lawyers. The victims named are former Jhang Bar Association President Mehar Muhammad Munir Sandhana, Vehari-based advocate Muhammad Zeshaan Dhuddi, and, most recently, Ali Hassan Barohi from Shikarpur.
The statement expressed profound sadness over these repeated tragedies. The SCBAP extended its heartfelt sympathies to the families left bereaved and offered prayers for the swift recovery of those injured in similar assaults.
A Call to Action: Demanding Security and Justice
The Executive Committee pointed out that these are not isolated incidents but part of a longstanding pattern of violence against lawyers, an issue the association has raised repeatedly. It expressed frustration that the authorities tasked with maintaining law and order seem "oblivious" to the loss of these precious lives.
Labeling the recurring attacks as "heart-wrenching events," the SCBAP stressed that the safety and security of lawyers is a fundamental prerequisite for the proper dispensation of justice. It emphasized that legal professionals must be able to perform their duties without any fear or intimidation.
Striking at the Heart of the Legal System
The association framed these violent acts as more than just crimes against individuals. It declared that such gruesome attacks constitute "direct strikes on the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession," a situation it finds completely unacceptable.
Consequently, the SCBAP has issued a clear demand for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those responsible. It has urged relevant provincial governments and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice and cannot evade the legal process.
While reaffirming its solidarity with Pakistan's security forces, the association once again extended its deepest condolences to the grieving families of all the victims.
