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LAHORE, Jan 05 (APP):The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday sought the complete record from the Punjab Bar Council regarding the suspension of the licence of Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, counsel for YouTuber Rajab Butt.
Justice Malik Muhammad Awais Khalid heard the petition filed by Mian Ali Ashfaq, who has challenged the Punjab Bar Council’s decision to suspend his license. Advocate Shahzaib Masood appeared
on behalf of the petitioner, while the court also allowed a miscellaneous application seeking to implead the Karachi Bar as a party to the case.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the Disciplinary Committee did not have the authority to suspend the licence and that the matter should have been referred to a tribunal. He further contended that the Executive Committee of the Punjab Bar Council concluded the proceedings and suspended the license on the same day without granting the petitioner an opportunity to be heard, terming the action contrary to legal requirements and principles of natural justice.
Justice Malik Muhammad Awais Khalid observed that under Article 10-A of the Constitution, no action can be taken against a person without providing the right to a fair hearing. The court also questioned under which law the Chairman of the Executive Committee was empowered to suspend a licence and directed that the relevant legal provision be identified.
On the other hand, counsel for the Punjab Bar Council maintained that the suspension was carried out in accordance with the law and that the Executive Committee was legally empowered to suspend licences. The bar council’s counsel also informed the court that the petitioner has the statutory right to file an appeal before the Pakistan Bar Council within 30 days.
The petitioner’s counsel requested interim relief, seeking suspension of the licence suspension order and immediate restoration of the licence. However, the court declined the request, observing that no interim order could be passed without hearing the Punjab Bar Council.
The court directed the Vice Chairman of the Punjab Bar Council or his nominated representative to submit the complete record related to the licence suspension and adjourned the hearing until January 6 for further proceedings.
It may be recalled that the Punjab Bar Council had suspended the licence of Mian Ali Ashfaq following an incident involving a scuffle among lawyers in Karachi, allegedly linked to YouTuber Rajab Butt and his counsel. Chairman of the Punjab Bar Council’s Executive Committee, Zabihullah Nagra, had referred the matter to the Disciplinary Committee.
According to the Punjab Bar Council, Mian Ali Ashfaq appeared at the bar along with his client during a lawyers’ strike and entered the premises accompanied by a private security guard, which was stated to be in violation of the lawyers’ code of conduct. The council maintained that the incident led to unrest and a scuffle among lawyers.