This was not the first incident when lawyers and journalists engaged in such an activity as a TV channel reporter was beaten up by lawyers in Lahore in November 2009.
Sources in the police said two newspaper reporters were taken to the bar room of the SC by president People`s Lawyers Forum (PLF) Raja Abdul Rehman. As they ordered for tea, a lawyer, Saifullah Khattak, approached the journalists and asked them to leave the room saying entry of mediapersons was not allowed in the hall.
During arguments that ensued, the lawyer allegedly abused the journalists. On this, one of the reporters slapped the lawyer after which other black coats present in the hall manhandled the journalists.
Later, the administration of the bar room banned the entry of media into the hall, canteen and another room being used by journalists to take meal.
Sources said Mr Khattak had also misbehaved with PML-N`s Khawaja Asif and another reporter for their presence in the bar room earlier in the morning.
Talking to Dawn, the PLF president said intolerance in society was the main reason behind such incidents.
