Violent clashes have continued outside the Lahore High Court between police and lawyers for more than than three hours now.

The clashes reportedly began at around noon on Wednesday when police tried to stop lawyers from entering the court premises. In the afternoon, there were renewed pitched battles with lawyers refusing to cede ground and police not allowing them to enter the court premises.

The clashes drew strong reaction from the legal fraternity with the Pakistan Bar Council announcing a nationwide strike and protest rallies on Thursday, its president Ahsan Bhoon said.

The images broadcast on TV screens showed police in riot gear engaging with lawyers, hitting them with batons, using water cannons, and firing tear gas shells. Lawyers pelted police with stones leaving two police officers injured.

Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said at least 2,000 police personnel had been deployed at the court premises and that the police were prepared to handle the situation. He confirmed the use of tear gas shells.

At least one lawyer has been arrested, Ehsan Ahmed of Aaj News reported. Other reports said ‘several’ lawyers had been detained.

The police also brought prison vans to the scene, indicating that they were ready to arrest a large number of people.

The clashes disrupted road traffic near the Lahore High Court. There were traffic delays on Mall Road and other roads nearby. 

Lawyers tried to remove the barriers set up by the police but they were pushed back.

The standoff continued three hours after the first clash broke out, with protesters throwing stones at the policemen and the police firing tear gas shells. In the afternoon, there were renewed clashes and police again used water cannons.

At around 3:15pm, DIG Faisal announced that the police had dispersed the lawyers and would not allow them to regroups.

He said he had no information about the arrest of Ahsan Bhoon.

Protest against division of courts

Lawyers have planned a massive protest against what is being dubbed a division of the judiciary. Most of the courts worked at a single place in Lahore called the Awan-e-Adil (House of Justice). However, the judiciary recently decided to transfer some of the courts to other locations in the city, including Model Town and Raiwind.

Groups of lawyers have been protesting the administrative decision. They are demanding the Lahore High Court chief justice, who is the administrative head of the judiciary in the province, change his decision, according to Ehsan Ahmad, who said the Punjab government had no role in the dispute.

Some of the protesters carried placards reading ‘Judicial dictatorship rejected.’

Lahore Bar Association President Munir Hussain Bhatti is one of the leaders spearheading the protest. He told reporters that until the LHC chief justice withdraws the notification on the divisions of courts they will continue to protest.

Lawyers chanted slogans as the standoff continued at least one hour after the first clash.’

Chief minister calls for calm

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued a statement calling for calm. Confrontation should be avoided to protect the life and property of people, she said.

She instructed the IGP to not use force against the protesters and urged lawyers to hold negotiations.