LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court sent 46 lawyers, accused of attacking the biggest cardiac health facility in the country’s eastern province of Punjab, to jail on a 14-day judicial remand on Thursday.
The lawyers were arrested after they targeted the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) on Wednesday to avenge their colleagues who were allegedly roughed up by the PIC staff in November.
The protesters forced their way into the hospital and destroyed medical equipment at the facility.
They also targeted vehicles in the parking area, set a police mobile on fire and terrorized the staff who left their patients unattended and rushed to safety.
Three patients reportedly lost their lives since they did not get medical attention on time.
On Thursday, the arrested lawyers were brought to an anti-terrorism court where the prosecution demanded 15 days of police custody while the defense counsel claimed the accused were innocent and implicated in false cases.
After hearing the arguments, the court announced 14 days of judicial remand and sent the lawyers to jail.
“We are waiting for the government’s response and see how it deals with the issue,” Dr. Salman Hasseb Chaudhary, Secretary General of Grand Health Alliance, told Arab News. “We demand arrest of all culprits who attacked the hospital. It is an act that is not even allowed in a war. The doctors will not go on strike and all facilities will remain open for public,”
The legal community, on the other hand, boycotted courtroom proceedings across the province in response to a call given by the Punjab Bar Council.
In the morning, lawyers gathered at the Kayani Hall of the High Court Bar and strongly condemned the lodging of police complaints against them and the arrest of their fraternity members.
The lawyers formed a joint committee that comprised representatives of the Lahore Bar Association, the Lahore High Court Bar Association, the Punjab Bar Council and the Pakistan Bar Council.
The lawyers’ bodies also demanded an inquiry into the matter.
“The lawyers started the procession from Mall road,” said their press release, “crossed Jail road and reached the PIC but the police did not intervene. They [the police] were silent spectators even when stones were pelted from both sides. It needs a thorough inquiry and we demand judicial inquiry. It is a very unfortunate incident, and we will take action against those who resorted to firing and burnt the police vehicle, if they are lawyers.”
Meanwhile, the Punjab government deployed Rangers after Wednesday’s incident near the PIC and Lahore High Court buildings.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, who ordered an inquiry into the incident, directed the provincial authorities to take stern action against all those who were involved in the attack.
“Those responsible for the PIC [incident] would not be spared and taken to task. The law will take its course and an enquiry into the matter has been initiated. The killing of three patients is deplorable,” Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said in a statement issued to the foreign media on Thursday.
In another related development, lawyers went to the Lahore High Court and demanded the release of their accused colleagues. Their case has been fixed for tomorrow (Friday), and Justice Anwarul Haq will hear their petition.