Rajab Butt's lawyer, Karachi Bar settle court clash

Negotiations between the lawyer of accused YouTuber Rajab Butt, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, and Karachi's legal community have been successful, with both parties agreeing to withdraw cases and petitions filed against each other.

Barrister Ashfaq, the defence lawyer, had filed a case against the lawyers at the City Court police station and submitted a petition to the Sindh Bar Council. In response, the lawyers protested and went on strike.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Karachi City Court in the office of the Bar Association on Thursday, Barrister Ashfaq said that detailed discussions were held between the parties. The motivations behind the filed cases were reviewed, and the circumstances created by the incident were examined. It was decided to resolve all issues amicably.

Read: Rajab Butt case: High Court Bar condemns FIR against lawyers

"Whether the matter concerned Advocate Riaz Solangi or his client, no conditions were imposed on either side, and the issue has been successfully settled," he said. He credited President of the Karachi Bar Association, Amir Waraich, for playing a very important role in resolving the matter.

Waraich said the incident had affected the reputation of the Karachi Bar, emphasising that every nationality, religion, and sect is respected within the Bar. "Lawyers may practice on religious matters but should not become parties themselves. The Karachi Bar believes in the supremacy of law, and this is why it was targeted," he said.

He added that the incident was an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Karachi Bar lawyers among the public. "Today, both parties have been given a free hand. There was no pressure from the Bar's side, and we will never support violence. If you have any issue, come to the Bar; lawyers are requested to respect anyone who comes to court."

The development follows a December 29, 2025 incident in which a verbal altercation between accused Rajab Butt and Advocate Riaz Solangi, and Fatah Advocate escalated into a physical confrontation. The YouTuber was assaulted after a hearing in a case against him over the alleged insult of Islamic symbols.

Case history

Rajab Butt has been under scrutiny over blasphemy-related allegations since earlier this year after launching a perfume branded “295”, a reference to Section 295 of Pakistan’s blasphemy law.

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

The launch triggered backlash and accusations that the branding mocked the law.

An FIR was later registered against him under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with insulting religious beliefs.

In March 2025, Butt released an apology video from Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah while performing Umrah. He said he had not done anything intentionally and asked people to “cleanse your hearts” towards him.

He said the video linked to the controversy had been misunderstood, claimed a word had been edited out and announced the discontinuation of the perfume. He also appealed to religious scholars, the Punjab government and the Pakistan Army to reconsider the charges.

The FIR was filed by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan leader Haider Ali Shah Gillani. If convicted, Butt could face up to 10 years in prison under the charges.