A similar directive was issued by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Iftekhar Chaudhry.

The judges from the lower courts of Punjab took the extreme measure earlier in the day to express solidarity with District and Sessions judge Zawwar A. Shaikh, who is involved in a rift with the government.

The judicial crisis was allegedly engineered by President Asif Ali Zardari and Federal Law Minister Babar Awan. The minister is reported to have bribed a segment of the lawyers, who are observing a protest against police torture and pressing the Lahore High Court to transfer Zawwar.

Section 144 imposed by the Lahore High Court has been extended for another month.

The Pakistan Bar Council has appealed to other bars in the country to express solidarity with the lawyers of Lahore. Senior lawyer Ali Ahmad Kurd is expected to lead the lawyers’ rally.

Early this week, a faction of lawyers attacked the office of the chief justice in Lahore.

People wearing black jackets attacked police and journalists as well.