LAHORE: Infuriated lawyers went on rampage at the premises of Lahore High Court (LHC) against the order of the court’s bench to arrest Sher Zaman, president High Court Bar Multan on Monday. Protesting against the court’s order, the rampaging lawyers broke down the main entrance gate of the court and went to Mall Road forming...

Protesting against the court’s order, the rampaging lawyers broke down the main entrance gate of the court and went to Mall Road forming a protest demonstration. The court issued non-bailable arrest order for Sher Zaman Qureshi.

The protesting lawyers also ran amok at GPO Chowk. Earlier, they faced water cannon and tear-gas when they tried to enter the CJ Block. Police shoved them out of the premises.

A five-judge of LHC bench headed by Chief Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard Multan Bar contempt of court case against Sher Zaman.

In the meantime, lawyers went out of control when the court issued arrest order for Sher Zaman as he did not appear before the court. The bench also suspended the licenses of Sher Zaman and Qaiser Kazmi for disrespecting the judge of Multan bench. The hearing has been adjourned till tomorrow.

In today’s hearing, the court summoned two lawyers including Sher Zaman. Tight security arrangements were in place with paratroopers deployed at the entrances of the court.

Lawyers also manhandled the policemen on duty at the court premises in protest against the court’s arrest order.

On July 24, Sher Zaman Qureshi allegedly misbehaved with Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan in Multan during court proceedings.

Subsequently, the LHC CJ withdrew judges from the Multan bench in exercise of his constitutional powers, but made available the principal seat of the LHC, i.e. Lahore, and the Bahawalpur bench for the dispensation of justice.

Though the Multan bench was restored after a few days, lawyers are still on strike.