Punjab Bar Council panel suspends Rajab Butt’s advocate Barrister Ali Ashfaq’s license pending disciplinary review

LAHORE (Web Desk) – The Executive Committee of the Punjab Bar Council has suspended the license of Barrister Ali Ashfaq after reviewing a formal communication sent by the Karachi Bar Association’s president and general secretary. The decision was taken on December 31, 2025, during a committee meeting in Lahore.Karachi court violence: Over a dozen lawyers booked for attacking Rajab Butt

According to the committee, a video circulating on social media showed Mr. Ali Ashfaq, advocate, appearing in Karachi’s City Courts while representing TikToker Rjab Butt. His appearance reportedly took place at a time when lawyers were observing a strike in protest over the alleged assault involving former librarian Nasir Muhammad Kalhoro. During the strike, court proceedings were entirely suspended.

Read also:

The Executive Committee held that appearing in court while a strike was underway — particularly accompanied by private individuals or guards — amounted to a violation of professional ethics and the collective decision of the legal fraternity. The panel also noted that statements reportedly made by Mr. Ashfaq during the defense of his client caused discord, tension, and confrontation within the legal community, causing reputational damage to the unity and decorum of lawyers.

Upon reviewing official records, the committee confirmed that Mr. Ashfaq is registered as an advocate with the Punjab Bar Council and enrolled as a High Court lawyer, and therefore, remains bound to uphold the profession’s ethical code. The committee held that his conduct constituted a breach of the Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules, 1976 — specifically Rules 134 and 175-A — which fall within the category of professional misconduct.

Following deliberations, the committee unanimously resolved that:

1. The license of Mr. Ali Ashfaq to practice law is suspended with immediate effect;

2. His case has been referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the Punjab Bar Council;

3. The Disciplinary Committee will initiate proceedings under the law to determine whether his license should be permanently cancelled.

The Punjab Bar Council emphasized that legal practice is a dignified profession in which discipline, collective responsibility, and adherence to ethical standards are non-negotiable, and that any behavior undermining these values warrants strict action.