Licences suspended over LHCBA poll controversy

LAHORE:

The Punjab Bar Council (PBC) has suspended the law licences of Lahore High Court Bar Association's (LHCBA) claimant president Babar Murtaza and the election board and body members for violating its orders.

The council has also sent a reference to the Pakistan Bar Council for suspension of their Supreme Court practice licences. The Punjab Bar Council had suspended the election result for the president on February 28 on a petition filed by rival candidate Raja Amir Khan.

According to a statement, the decision had been formally communicated to candidate Babar Murtaza and Election Board President Lehrasb Gondal along with notices.

However, Murtaza continued to present himself as the LHCBA president, an act the council termed a violation and contempt of its decision.

The council stated that it is the regulatory body overseeing all matters related to lawyers and bar associations.

The council suspended the licenses of Gondal and Murtaza. As both lawyers are also entitled to practice before the Supreme Court, the provincial body forwarded a reference to the Pakistan Bar Council for its disciplinary committee to initiate legal action in accordance with the law.