PbBC divided over waiters’ uniform issue

Executive committee pondering over rules under which ban may be imposed

LAHORE:

Members of Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) appear divided on the issue of getting changed the uniform resembling lawyers of waiters serving in hotels and restaurants.

Some representatives of the lawyers said on Tuesday that a letter sent to the chief secretary on the issue was not issued by PbBC and the matter was being investigated.

An office-bearer of the PbBC said while speaking to The Express Tribune, “My views differ from those who want the uniform of waiters changed. We are all human beings and such difference should not be created in society.”

An insider said the letter was issued without consulting all relevant laws and rules prescribed in the Bar Council Act. The council’s executive committee is not only probing into how the letter was sent to the chief secretary but also pondering over the laws or rules under which such a ban may be imposed.

PbBC Secretary Muhammad Ashraf Rahi denied issuance of the letter on behalf of the council and said the matter was being probed.

The council’s Executive Committee Member Chaudhry Asif Shehzad said the lawyers did not want anyone to be deprived of rights and a decision on the issue would be taken with consensus next week after going through all the rules.

Replying to a question, he said even the law graduates were not allowed to wear the uniform until passing the tests and completing the six-month training.

When asked about the common citizens wearing black pants and white shirts, the bar leader said all aspects of the matter were being discussed by the executive committee.

He confirmed that some lawyers had objections over the similarity of waiters’ outfits with their uniform.

When asked for their comments, some waiters said it was astonishing for them that they looked like lawyers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2021.