Lawyers go on nationwide strike, demand release of arrested lawyers for attacking PIC

• Sindh High Court Bar Association has demanded release of arrested lawyers.
• It has also called for action against doctors for their 'hate speech' against lawyers.

Lawyers across the country are boycotting courts on Friday to protest against the registration of cases against lawyers who were arrested for their involvement in Wednesday's attack on Lahore's Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).

In a notification issued today, the Sindh High Court Bar Association said it regretted the violence between 'two educated segments of the society - the lawyers and the doctors. The association also expressed its disapproval of the lawyers who went to PIC to protest.

The Sindh Bar Association has demanded that all the arrested lawyers be released and be treated in a humane manner. Moreover, it has also demanded that action be taken against the 'hate speech' by doctors against the lawyers.

The bar also disapproved of the suspension of IHC Bar Association (IHCBA) Secretary Muhammad Umair Baloch license, which it said was a violation of 'principles of natural justice'. The Islamabad High Court issued a show-cause notice to Baloch on Thursday for professional misconduct and contempt.