Protesting Hyderabad lawyers continue sit-in for second day on National Highway
1. Lawyers have been protesting alleged high handedness of police at Wadhu Wah area for over 17 hours
Lawyers’ Protest Disrupts Traffic in Hyderabad Amid Tensions with Police
HYDERABAD: Lawyers continued their sit-in on the National Highway in Hyderabad for the second consecutive day on Friday, causing severe disruptions to traffic between Sindh and Punjab. The demonstration, which started on Thursday, has resulted in long queues of vehicles, leading to significant difficulties for transporters and passengers.
The protest, taking place at the Wadhu Wah area, has continued for over 17 hours. Meanwhile, the lawyers have called off their protest near the KPT Underpass in Clifton, Karachi, and reopened the road to traffic.
The tensions between the legal fraternity and police escalated after Hyderabad police filed a case against a lawyer for having a hooter and a fancy number plate on his vehicle. Lawyers have accused the police of using excessive force in dealing with the matter.
Sindh Police, however, stated that they aimed to resolve the issue through legal means.
According to reports, Bhittia Nangar police had stopped Advocate Ali Raza five days ago for driving a vehicle with a fancy number plate and tinted windows. The lawyer allegedly fled the scene, abandoning his Mehran car, which was later challaned.
In response, a group of lawyers visited the police station and threatened consequences if the case against Raza was not dropped.
Hyderabad High Court Bar Association President Ayaz Tanyo claimed that, in addition to the FIR, the police had detained Raza, though he was later released on personal bail on Monday.
The legal community then demanded the suspension of Bhittai Nangar SHO Asghar Tunyo.
On Tuesday, a group of lawyers stormed the office of Hyderabad SSP Farrukh Lanjar after he allegedly failed to meet their demands, staging a demonstration inside the office. The protest ended after over 12 hours through negotiations led by Hyderabad DIG Tariq Razak Dharejo.
Meanwhile, more than 10 station house officers (SHOs) and other police personnel from Hyderabad applied for a month's leave in protest of the ongoing situation.
DIG Dharejo visited the SSP office on Wednesday afternoon to boost the morale of the police and urged the officers to withdraw their leave applications and resume their duties.
Speaking to the media, DIG Dharejo confirmed that the Sindh Inspector General of Police and Home Minister had taken notice of the situation. He commended the Hyderabad police for their patience despite the ongoing tensions.
SSP Lanjar stated that Raza was not the only person facing action for a fancy number plate, revealing that around 50 FIRs had been filed recently for similar violations, emphasizing that no one is above the law.
