Lawyer`s killing sparks boycott of courts – 09 Mar 2021

FAISALABAD: Killing of a lawyer during an alleged robbery incident led to a boycott of the court proceedings by the lawyers as they observed a full-day strike on Monday.

The deceased lawyer was identified as Salman Khaliq. He was a nephew of Punjab Bar Council member Farooq Dogar.

Zahid Ali of Chak 30-JB, submitting an application with the Sandal Bar police, said he, along with his wife Asma Bibi and nephews Rehman, Liaqat and Salman Khaliq, an advocate, was going back home after attending a marriage ceremony when two motorcyclists stopped them near Chak 34-JB, Balochanwali.

He said a gun-toting suspect pulled Khalig out of the car while his accomplice snatched gold ornaments from Asma. He said the suspects snatched cash from Khaliq, Rehman and him (the applicant).

The robbers opened fire on Khalig when he put up resistance and fled from the spot.

Khalig breathed his last on way to the rural healthcentre.

Police registered a murder-cum-robbery case.

After the incident, the district bar association observed a strike in protest against the incident and demanded arrest of the killers.

BANQUET HALLS SEALED: The district administration sealed 18 marriage halls and registered cases against 14 people for violating the Marriage Act and Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The marriage halls were sealed by an assistant commissioners after violations were traced during inspection of and these premises.

The sealed halls include Al-Quraish Marriage Hall-I and II, Cottage Hall, Canal Palace, Sheerton, Zoom, Koh-i-Noor, Victoria Executive, Lyallpur Jimkhana, Royal Palm, Crown, Quilim and Taj Mahal.

Cases were also registered against the administration of some of the halls.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali said all the ACs had been directed to monitor the banquet halls and take action against the violators.