The lawyers questioned the registration of the FIR against Manj under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the manner in which the trial court conducted its whole proceedings. They said the defense counsel had not been provided an opportunity of hearing and the court announced its verdict in haste.
The house noted that the Punjab Bar Council had already taken cognizance of the incident, initiated proceedings against the lawyer and also handed him over to the police for legal action. However, it wondered as to how provision of the anti-terrorism law was added in the FIR that led to the unfair trial.
The house demanded of the Chief Justice Lahore High Court to take notice of the situation and set aside the conviction of Advocate Manj.
It announced to launch massive protests across the province if the demand was not fulfilled by Monday.
An anti-terrorism court on Thursday handed down a collection imprisonment of 18 years under section 7 of ATA and other provisions of PPC.
In a last month incident, the convict had attacked Civil Judge Khalid Mahmood for not extending him favor in a personal criminal case.