Lawyer seeking monument's removal alleges threats

A lawyer who moved a court against the alleged illegal construction of a monument at a market in Mirpurkhas has complained of harassment and intimidation, prompting her to seek registration of an FIR and protection from the Sindh High Court Bar Association, Mirpurkhas. Advocate Sehrish Mushtaq filed an application under Section 22-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure seeking an FIR against Sardar Farooq Ahmed Laghari, whom she has accused of harassment and intimidation. Mushtaq has challenged the construction of a raised platform, flagpole and poster wall on a road linking MA Jinnah Road with Khisakpura Bazaar. She said the site, known as Market Chowk, was renamed "Field Marshal Chowk" and a portrait of Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir was displayed there. In her application, Mushtaq alleged that Laghari and his associates regularly gather at the site and brandish firearms, causing fear among residents and visitors. She also accused police, the district administration and municipal authorities of failing to act against the alleged encroachment.