SAHIWAL, May 19: The anti-terrorism court No 2, Multan, issued warrants for the arrest of the Sahiwal DPO, other officers and 200 constables for torching the rally taken out by lawyers in Sahiwal on May 4.

The court issued the arrest warrants of DPO Javed Hussain Shah, ASP Fida Hussain Shah, DSP Moeen Butt, DSP Tala’at, Civil Lines SHO Rana Muhammad Akram, City SHO Azhar Abbas Gill, Grain Market SHO Rao Shafquat, Farid Town SHO Shafqat Kamboh and 200 constables.

Judge Mian Muhammad Aslam directed the police to produce all the accused before court on May 28. District Bar Association president Sheikh Muhammad Usman had filed a case against the police officers and officials under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The DBA chief alleged in his plaint that lawyers had taken out a torch-bearing rally to express solidarity with the Chief Justice of Pakistan. He said the police sprinkled petrol on participants that resulted in burn wounds to 27 lawyers. He further alleged that the police had also entered unlawfully to the bar room and manhandled the lawyers.