The petition was heard by Justice Malik Muhammad Owais Khalid, who granted Advocate Ashfaq time until January 5 to formally include the Karachi Bar Association as a party to the case, a procedural requirement highlighted during the hearing.
Representing the federal government, Deputy Attorney General Asad Ali Bajwa argued that the petition was not maintainable in its current form because the Karachi Bar Association, on whose complaint the disciplinary action was initiated, had not been named as a respondent.
In response, Advocate Ashfaq sought permission to add the Karachi Bar by hand to the petition.
However, the court directed that the bar association be included through a separate miscellaneous application and adjourned further proceedings until January 5.
The hearing follows disciplinary action taken yesterday when the Punjab Bar Council suspended Advocate Ashfaq’s licence with immediate effect.
According to the council, the suspension arose from Ashfaq’s appearance before the Karachi City Courts while representing TikToker Rajab Butt during a lawyers’ strike called by the Karachi Bar Association.
The strike had been announced in protest against the alleged victimisation of the association’s former librarian, Naseer Muhammad Kalhoro, and judicial proceedings were barred during that period.
The Punjab Bar Council stated it acted after receiving a formal complaint from the Karachi Bar Association’s president and general secretary, along with a video circulating on social media that allegedly showed Advocate Ashfaq entering court despite the strike.
An order issued by Punjab Bar Council Executive Committee Chairman Zabiullah Nagra alleged that Advocate Ashfaq entered the court premises accompanied by private guards, an act described as a violation of strike restrictions and the professional code of conduct for lawyers.
The order further claimed that statements made by the advocate during the incident were inappropriate and harmful to the dignity of the legal fraternity.
The council said the situation led to confrontation and unrest among lawyers, damaging unity and the profession’s reputation.
The executive committee unanimously decided to suspend Ashfaq’s licence and referred the matter to the disciplinary committee for further action, including possible permanent cancellation.
Nagra said prior notice was not required in cases involving professional misconduct, adding that lawyers are presumed to be aware of their code of conduct.
The controversy stems from a chaotic incident earlier this week in which YouTuber Rajab Butt was physically assaulted at a Karachi sessions court during a hearing related to allegations of hurting religious sentiments.
Advocate Ashfaq was representing Butt at the time, and the proceedings descended into violence and disorder.
Adding to the attention surrounding the case, Advocate Ashfaq has also recently appeared as counsel for former spymaster Faiz Hameed in proceedings before a military court, placing him at the centre of multiple high-profile legal developments as his suspension is now set to be reviewed further by the Lahore High Court.