Lawyers involved in a dispute over an alleged assault on YouTuber Rajab Butt at the Karachi City Courts have agreed to withdraw cases and complaints filed against each other, bringing an end to weeks of internal disagreement within the legal community.

 

 

The development followed a meeting held on Thursday at the Karachi Bar Association (KBA), where lawyers from both sides held discussions and reached an understanding to resolve the matter. According to participants, the decision was made without any conditions imposed on either party.

 

 

The issue dates back to December 29, 2025, when Butt was allegedly assaulted on the City Courts premises while appearing for the hearing of his bail plea in a case registered against him for hurting religious sentiments. The incident led to the registration of multiple cases and triggered reactions.

 

 

Following the assault, Butt’s counsel Mian Ali Ashfaq lodged a case against Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi, Advocate Abdul Fatah and 15 to 20 other lawyers. The case was registered under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 337-A (punishment for shajjah) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

 

 

Separately, on the request of the KBA, the Punjab Bar Council (PBC) initiated action against Mian Ashfaq. On January 1, the PBC suspended his licence to practise and referred the matter to its disciplinary committee. The suspension was later withdrawn, restoring Ashfaq’s licence.

 

 

On Thursday, Mian Ashfaq visited the KBA office on the association’s request and addressed a press conference after holding talks with the other side. He was accompanied by KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich, General Secretary Rehman Korai, senior counsel Rehan Aziz, Advocate Solangi and Advocate Fatah.

 

 

Speaking to the media, Ashfaq said that after detailed discussions on issues that arose following the incident, both parties had agreed to withdraw the cases and applications filed before different forums. He said the understanding was reached without any conditions, but did not specify whether the case against Rajab Butt for allegedly hurting religious sentiments would also be withdrawn.

 

 

Ashfaq also acknowledged the role of the Karachi Bar Association in facilitating the talks and providing a platform for dialogue between the parties.

 

 

Addressing the media, KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich said the incident had affected the standing of the legal community. He said lawyers should limit their role to representing clients in cases related to religious matters and should not become complainants themselves.

 

 

Warraich said that lawyers must not be involved in acts of violence and added that every litigant appearing before the courts was entitled to respectful treatment.

 

 

Rajab Butt is expected to appear before a Karachi court on the issue of allegedly offending religious emotions on January 13. The purpose of this appearance is for confirmation or denial of his interim release.