Punjab Bar suspends lawyer representing Faiz Hameed, Rajab Butt over 'professional misconduct'

Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq attended court proceedings at Karachi's City Court during a lawyers' strike

The Punjab Bar Council has suspended the licence of Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, the lawyer representing General Faiz Hameed and popular TikToker Rajab Butt, for attending court proceedings at Karachi’s City Court during a lawyers’ strike and for bringing private security guards with him.

In a statement, the Punjab Bar Council’s Executive Committee confirmed that the case has been forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee for a permanent revocation of Ashfaq’s licence. The council took action after a video went viral on social media showing Ashfaq’s participation in the hearing during the court strike.

The Punjab Bar Council stated that, despite a complete ban on judicial proceedings during the strike, Ashfaq appeared in court, which was considered a violation of professional ethics. Additionally, the presence of private security guards with Ashfaq in court was deemed against the rules.

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Ashfaq, who has previously made statements against the lawyer community, was also accused of undermining the unity and dignity of the legal profession. The Punjab Bar Council categorised these actions as professional misconduct.

The council cited violations of Sections 134 and 175-A of the Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules 1976. The Executive Committee unanimously decided to suspend Ashfaq’s licence immediately. His case has now been forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee for further action regarding permanent licence revocation.

Ashfaq had also appeared in the case of Rajab Butt at the Karachi City Court on Monday, where lawyers reportedly assaulted Butt during proceedings.