Rajab Butt and Faiz Hameed Lawyer Mian Ashfaq Ali Suspended by Punjab Bar Council

The practice license of Mian Ashfaq Ali is suspended by Punjab Bar Council due to professional misconduct. The action follows his attendance at Karachi City Court in defence of TikToker Rajab Butt amid a strike by lawyers.

Punjab Bar Council Suspends Mian Ashfaq Ali Over Rajab Butt Case

On January 1, 2026, the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) suspend the license of Mian Ashfaq Ali immediately. The suspension is after accusations of professional misconduct that was attributed to one of the recent court appearances.

On December 29-30, 2025, lawyer Mian Ashfaq Ali showed up in Karachi City Court on behalf of TikToker Rajab Butt. This happened when there was a lawyers strike by Karachi Bar Association. This fact was a breach of the decision made collectively to not engage in court proceedings, and a violation of the provisions of the Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules, 1976, which is found in Section 134 and 175-A.

The PbBC gave several reasons behind the suspension. Ashfaq took the private security to court and made some statements against the lawyers fraternity that were allegedly damaging the image of the profession. The Karachi Bar Association filed a formal complaint because a viral video of the court appearance was made. His license was later suspended unanimously by the PbBC Executive Committee.

This case is now submitted to the PbBC Disciplinary Committee, which may revoke the license of Mian Ashfaq Ali permanently.

During the hearing, chaos erupted. Rajab Butt was reportedly attacked by a group of lawyers inside the court, sustaining injuries. This incident added to the scrutiny on Ashfaq and fueled social media debates.

Mian Ashfaq Ali lawyer, also the defence lawyer of retired Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, who was sentenced to 14 years in a military court in December 2025. Butt and Hameed however have no relation in terms of their case and that of a military trial except that they were both represented by the same lawyer.