Staff Reporter:Â
QUETTA: Lawyers across Balochistan observed a province-wide strike on Friday following the martyrdom of District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakim Kakar and his official gunman in a deadly attack in Mastung district. The strike, called by bar associations and legal bodies across the province, brought judicial proceedings to a halt as courts remained largely deserted and hundreds of litigants returned without their cases being heard.
The legal fraternity strongly condemned the Mastung attack, describing it as a serious assault on the judiciary and the rule of law. Lawyers demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and urged the Balochistan government to enhance security for judges, lawyers and court staff across the province.
According to preliminary reports, unidentified armed assailants opened fire on the vehicle carrying District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakim Kakar in the Mastung district. Judge Kakar and his official gunman were martyred in the attack, while Additional District and Sessions Tariq Lashari sustained injuries. He was shifted to a hospital for medical treatment. The attackers managed to flee the scene before law enforcement agencies reached the area.
Police and security agencies have launched an investigation and initiated a search operation to apprehend the attackers. No group had claimed responsibility for the incident at the time this report was filed.
The killing of Session Judge Abdul Hakim Kaka has sent shockwaves through Balochistan’s legal community. Bar associations vowed to continue their peaceful protest until those behind the Mastung attack are brought to justice and effective security measures are implemented to protect members of the judiciary and ensure the uninterrupted administration of justice across the province.
