Lahore lawyers’ attack: PM Imran summons emergency session

LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan summoned an emergency session on Wednesday after an angry mob of lawyers attacked a hospital and vandalised public property in the city.

According to sources, the prime minister contacted Chief Secretary Punjab and Inspector General of Police Punjab, summoning a report on the incident within an hour.

“We will not let anyone take law into their hands,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by sources.

PM Imran gave directions for finding out those behind the incident and take adequate action against them.

The prime minister also urged Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar to visit the site of attack.

Earlier today, a group of lawyers stormed the emergency ward of Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore, vandalised public property, set a police vehicle on fire and attacked provincial minister Fayyaz ul Hasan Chohan.

Videos of the incident shared on Twitter showed police officials, clad in riot gear, were rendered helpless as a swarm of lawyers, outnumbering the law enforcement personnel, broke the entrance of the hospital.

There were reports of casualties at the emergency ward of the hospital as a result of the confusion and fear that spread inside the facility as the lawyers barged into the building. It was not clear why the group of lawyers stormed the cardiology hospital.

Also read: Angry mob of lawyers storm emergency ward of Lahore hospital, casualties reported

Punjab Minister for Information Chohan who arrived at the hospital was manhandled by the lawyers who tore at his clothes and hair. The provincial minister could be seen escorted away from the hospital.

"They tried to kidnap me," Chohan said in a statement. "I came to deal with the situation and they started abusing me." He added a first information report (FIR) will be registered against those responsible.