The Punjab government on Monday dismissed Additional Advocate General Khawar Ikram Bhatti for reportedly slapping a police officer outside an accountability court in Islamabad, DawnNews reported.

A notification issued by Punjab Law Secretary Dr Syed Abul Hassan Najmi said that "the competent authority... [has] dispensed with the services of [Bhatti] with immediate effect".

Earlier, Justice Ebadur Rehman Lodhi refused to let Bhatti appear before the Lahore High Court, saying that "it did not suit state lawyers to assault a police officer".

Lodhi also accused Bhatti of being politically motivated and said that a state lawyer should serve the state instead of a political party.

On Saturday, a group of lawyers associated with the PML-N had forcibly tried to enter an accountability court, where former premier's daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Muhammad Safdar had appeared for the hearing of a corruption case against them.

On being stopped by the police officers posted outside the court, the lawyers assaulted the official.

Later that day, a case against the group of lawyers was registered after Inspector Shakeel Ahmed of the Diplomatic Protection Department filed a complaint regarding the incident.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...