ATTOCK: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar spoke at condolence reference of murdered lawyers in Attock, where he assured community of taking killers to justice by declaring it test case for government. 

“It is really sad that we will not be able to meet our friends again but I assure you that justice will prevail and we will do everything for consolation of bereaved families of Israr and Zulfiqar,” he said.  He said this was textbook case of terrorism. “Every case has its merits and job of lawyer is to present case before court and verdict is then announced on merit. No one will be allowed to go scot-free as lawyers are an important pillar of society,” he said.  “Good human beings and friends stay alive in our hearts forever. We should scratch our heads to find way to stamp out events like these. Psychological screening should be made necessary for on-duty security personnel in order to stave off Attock-like incidents,” he said.  He said there should be zero tolerance in cases of bringing arms to court premises.

Minister highlighted significance of lawyers’ freedom to speak against injustice as muzzling lawyers’ voice could lead to unintended consequences as happened in past. He reminded that lawyers stood like shield whenever democracy underwent difficult phases.  An ASI of Elite Force gunned down two senior lawyers-Malik Israr Ahmed, former president of Punjab Bar Council and Zulfiqar Mirza with his official weapon in their chamber on district court premises.