A protest by lawyers in Hyderabad has caused widespread traffic disruptions, affecting major routes connecting Karachi, Punjab, and rural Sindh. The demonstration, which began at Wadhu Wah Gate on the Hyderabad Bypass, has resulted in a complete halt to traffic, leaving long vehicle queues and passengers stranded.
The protest is rooted in a legal dispute between the local police and the lawyer community, following the registration of a case against Ali Raza Advocate for using a fake number plate. In response, the lawyers are demanding the transfer of SSP Hyderabad Farukh Lanjar and the dismissal of the SHO of Bhittai Nagar police station. Additionally, they are calling for the withdrawal of the fraud case against the lawyer community.
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The traffic disruptions caused by the protest have severely impacted daily commuters and long-distance travelers, creating significant inconvenience and delays. The protest has blocked a key bypass road connecting the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway with the National Highway, a crucial route for transport between major cities.
Senior lawyers, including Advocate Ayaz Hussain Tunio and Advocate Sajjad Ahmed Chandio, have emphasized that the issue is about upholding the rule of law, not just a personal conflict between the police and lawyers. They have threatened to extend the protest nationwide if their demands are not met. Advocate K B Lutf Ali Laghari warned of a nationwide movement similar to the one in 2007, if SSP Lanjar is not removed from his position.
The Sindh Police, meanwhile, have called for a legal resolution through a judicial inquiry supervised by the District Session Judge of Hyderabad. Despite these efforts, the standoff continues, with both sides refusing to back down. The police argue that the FIR is part of an ongoing crackdown on vehicles with illegal number plates and tinted windows, but the lawyers believe it is a personal retaliation against them.
As the protest drags on, political figures have stepped in, with former senator Aajiz Dhamrah of the Pakistan Peoples Party visiting the protestors and listening to their concerns.
