The Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) has suspended the practice licence of Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq for appearing before Karachi City Courts during a lawyers’ strike while representing TikToker Rajab Butt.

According to an order issued by PbBC Executive Committee Chairman Zabiullah Nagra, the suspension order was handed out after the President and General Secretary of the Bar Karachi Association formally complained about Ashfaq’s conduct during the strike.

The order states that a video circulating on social media showed Advocate Ashfaq inside the Karachi City Courts, actively representing Rajab Butt, despite a complete boycott of judicial proceedings. 

The strike had been called to protest the alleged victimisation of the Karachi Bar Association’s former librarian, Naseer Muhammad Kalhoro, and strictly barred all legal activity within court premises.

The video shows Ashfaq present in court at a time when courtrooms were largely deserted, a move the council described as a clear violation of the strike call. 

The PbBC further noted that the lawyer allegedly entered the premises accompanied by private guards or individuals, intensifying anger among striking lawyers and drawing sharp criticism from the legal fraternity.

According to the council, the situation escalated when Ashfaq, while defending his client, made remarks against the lawyers’ community comments the PbBC termed “serious professional impropriety.” These statements, the order said, triggered divisions among lawyers, leading to confrontation, discord and an atmosphere charged with resentment.

“The conduct created dispute and disharmony and gravely damaged the reputation, unity and collective integrity of the lawyers’ community,” the order observed.

After reviewing his professional record, the executive committee noted that Ali Ashfaq was enrolled as an advocate with the Punjab Bar Council in 2010 and later with the High Court in 2012. As a practicing lawyer, the council emphasised, he was duty-bound to uphold the dignity and high standing of the profession at all times.

The executive committee unanimously decided to suspend Ashfaq’s licence to practice law with immediate effect and referred the matter to the PbBC’s disciplinary committee for proceedings regarding the permanent cancellation of his licence in accordance with law.

Speaking to a media outlet, Chairman Zabiullah Nagra said the Punjab Bar Council, as a statutory regulatory body, was not required to issue a prior notice before suspending a licence in cases of professional misconduct.

He added that every enrolled advocate is presumed to have full knowledge of the bar council’s code of conduct and is obligated to comply with it.

Nagra further said the lawyer had been found involved in activities unbecoming of a member of the legal profession for some time.

 Advocate Ali Ashfaq has also appeared as counsel for former spymaster Faiz Hameed in the trial concluded against him before a military court.

Following the suspension, Ashfaq took to X, posting a defiant message that read: “If you wish to test my resolve for standing for the right thing. You’ll see it more than ever and much bigger than before. Test me more, I’ll fail you.”