LAHORE: Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq on Friday approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the suspension of his practising licence by the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) over his appearance for TikToker Rajab Butt before a Karachi court during a lawyers’ strike.
Read More: Licence of lawyer representing Rajab Butt suspended
Justice Malik Awais Khalid took up the petition. During the hearing, a federal law officer raised an objection regarding the maintainability of the case, arguing that the Karachi Bar Association had not been impleaded as a respondent.
Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq has challenged the suspension of his practising licence by the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) before the Lahore High Court, following allegations that he appeared in Karachi City Courts on behalf of YouTuber Rajab Butt during an ongoing lawyers’ strike. The… pic.twitter.com/2Bu4sJ583z
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Advocate Ashfaq responded that the Karachi bar had since been added to the list of respondents. The judge, however, directed him to formally amend the petition by filing a civil miscellaneous application and adjourned the matter till January 5.
The PbBC action followed a complaint filed by the president and general secretary of the Karachi Bar Association. According to the order issued by PbBC Executive Committee Chairman Zabiullah Nagra, the advocate’s licence was suspended with immediate effect for appearing in court despite a strike announced by the Karachi bar.
The strike had been called to protest the alleged victimisation of the Karachi Bar Association’s former librarian, Naseer Muhammad Kalhoro.
Read More: HRCP raises alarm over assault on YouTuber Rajab Butt at Karachi court
The PbBC order further stated that while defending his client, Advocate Ashfaq made remarks against the legal fraternity, which were termed serious professional misconduct. On these grounds, the executive committee unanimously decided to suspend his licence and referred the matter to the council’s disciplinary committee for further proceedings, including possible permanent cancellation of the licence in accordance with law.
Advocate Ali Ashfaq is also known for representing former spymaster Faiz Hameed before a military court.