Pakistan lawyers protest Musharraf swearing-in

Over a dozen people were injured in Lahore on Thursday during violent clashes between the police and lawyers observing a 'black day' to protest the swearing in of President Pervez Musharraf for a second term.

About 2,000 lawyers joined the protest organised by the Lahore Bar Association and tried to march in a procession from the district courts at Aiwan-e-Adal to the Punjab assembly.

The trouble erupted when policemen sought to prevent the lawyers from marching in procession along the Mall, a key thoroughfare in the city.

The protesters were stopped by a large police contingent, which carried out a baton-charge to disperse the lawyers. The lawyers and policemen then began pelting stones at each other.

At least 10 lawyers, a journalist, and several policemen were injured, Dawn News channel reported. Policemen took away lawyers who tried to break through a security cordon.

"Several lawyers were arrested," Lahore Bar Association president Sayyed Muhammad Shah said, adding, "The protests will continue till they are released."

Police officials said the lawyers had been taken away to be treated for injuries sustained in the brickbatting.

Lawyers across Pakistan are observing a 'black day' on Thursday to protest the swearing-in of Musharraf for a second presidential term and 'illegal' amendments to the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act of 1973 under emergency regulations.

The Supreme Court Bar Association, Punjab Bar Council and Lahore Bar Association are among the bodies that called for holding protest rallies. They have also decided to boycott courts and demanded that all detained lawyers be released.

In a statement, the Lahore High Court Bar Association described the amendments to the Bar Councils Act as 'illegal and unconstitutional' and based on mala fide intentions (with bad faith).

It said the lawyers would not accept amendments aimed at 'sabotaging' the movement against the emergency.

The association also described the sacking of judges as 'unconstitutional' and said lawyers did not accept the 'martial law' imposed under the garb of the Provisional Constitutional Order issued by Musharraf after imposing emergency on November 3.