PESHAWAR: Layers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are boycotting court proceedings today against the kidnapping of the PPP divisional president and a senior lawyer Qaizar Khan Miankhel.
The lawyers boycotted the proceedings on the call of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council. Lawyers remained to stay away from courts to protest returned colleague kidnapping. Earlier today, the abducted lawyer Qaizar Khan Miankhel returned home safely.
In DI Khan, lawyers took to the streets to demand better security for safety.
Peshawar High Court Bar Association President, Fida Gul Advocate, stated that while they understand the public’s difficulties when they are not appearing before the courts protection remains a priority for them.
He criticised the government for failing to implement the Lawyers’ Protection Act. “Despite this law, lawyers are still being kidnapped and even killed,” he said. “This strike aims to pressure the government to take action.”
Fida Gul said that the protest despite the safe recovery of the abducted advocate is to ensure long-term security for lawyers.
Court proceedings remain suspended across the province, including at the Peshawar High Court. Lawyers are refusing to appear in court as part of the judicial boycott.
Speaking about the situation, Fida Gul Advocate said, “We have always asked the government to protect us. But our lawyers continue to face kidnappings, harassment, and police mistreatment.”
He explained that they had no choice but to strike. “We know this causes inconvenience to the public. But when a lawyer fighting for people’s rights gets kidnapped, we must take a stand,” he added.
“We will continue protesting until lawyers receive the protection they deserve,” he concluded.
