LAHORE: The Punjab Bar Council (PBC) has directed all lawyers associated with the ongoing dispute between actor Momina Iqbal and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of Provincial Assembly Saqib Chadhar to refrain from making public statements to the media until disciplinary proceedings are concluded.
The directive was issued on Wednesday by the Punjab Bar Council’s Disciplinary Committee during hearings on applications seeking the suspension of legal licenses of Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, counsel for Saqib Chadhar, and Advocate Rimsha Iqbal, who is both a lawyer and the sister of Momina Iqbal.
Punjab Bar Committee Issues Restriction
The four-member disciplinary committee, headed by Chairman Abbas Ali Chadhar, observed that continued media discussions by lawyers involved in the case could affect the ongoing proceedings.
During the hearing, the chairman stated that no lawyer connected with the dispute would be permitted to discuss the matter publicly while the disciplinary inquiry remains pending.
The committee emphasized that legal proceedings should remain within the framework of the law and courts rather than becoming subjects of media campaigns.
Questions Raised About Professional Conduct
The committee also questioned Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq regarding his professional credentials.
Members asked whether he possessed a Bar-at-Law qualification and directed him to submit the relevant degree before the committee.
The proceedings then focused on allegations concerning Advocate Rimsha Iqbal’s professional status and activities while residing in Australia.
Advocate Ashfaq argued that Rimsha had been employed abroad while holding a legal license, claiming such employment could violate professional rules governing advocates.
Rimsha Defends Her Position
Responding to the allegations, Rimsha Iqbal rejected the claims and described them as baseless.
She stated that documentary evidence should be produced if any allegations regarding employment were being made.
Rimsha explained that she had been pursuing studies in Australia and had only undertaken part-time work while completing her education.
The committee also questioned her about media appearances in which she reportedly appeared wearing a lawyer’s attire.
Rimsha confirmed that she had participated in approximately six to seven media interviews while dressed in professional legal attire.
When asked whether she was acting as legal counsel in the case, she clarified that she was supporting her sister solely in a personal capacity and was not representing her as a lawyer.
Committee Examines Media Conduct
A significant portion of the hearing focused on the role of lawyers in discussing pending cases publicly.
The committee questioned whether legal representatives should place limits on public commentary and whether evidence should be presented in the media before being tested in court.
Advocate Ashfaq maintained that lawyers have a professional duty to present their clients’ positions responsibly.
He argued that only a limited portion of the information available to his side had been disclosed publicly and claimed that the opposing side had conducted a greater number of media interactions.
“Honey Trap” Remark Under Scrutiny
The committee also examined Advocate Ashfaq’s use of the term “honey trap” during a previous media briefing.
Members questioned whether such language was appropriate for a lawyer commenting on an ongoing legal dispute.
In response, Ashfaq offered to present supporting evidence before the committee and insisted that his statements reflected what he considered factual information related to the case.
The chairman observed that the determination of truth ultimately lies with the courts and noted that the dispute had reached an unusual stage where lawyers themselves had become subjects of disciplinary complaints.
Chadhar Defends Lawyer’s Statements
During the proceedings, MPA Saqib Chadhar appeared before the committee and defended his lawyer’s conduct.
He stated that remarks made by Advocate Ashfaq outside the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) office had been issued on his instructions.
According to Chadhar, his lawyer had not independently made comments regarding Momina Iqbal or her sister and was simply conveying his client’s position.
Committee Continues Proceedings
The disciplinary committee indicated that it would continue reviewing complaints against both lawyers and would hear additional arguments before reaching any conclusions.
Momina Iqbal’s sister, Rimsha, also appeared before the committee during the proceedings.
However, the committee decided to complete the hearing of one side before proceeding further with additional submissions.
High-Profile Dispute Remains in Spotlight
The dispute between actor Momina Iqbal and PML-N lawmaker Saqib Chadhar has attracted widespread public attention in recent weeks, generating extensive media coverage and political discussion.
The Punjab Bar Council’s intervention signals growing concern regarding the conduct of legal professionals involved in high-profile cases and the increasing use of media platforms during ongoing legal proceedings.
The disciplinary inquiry remains ongoing, and no final decision has yet been announced regarding the complaints filed against the lawyers involved.
