KARACHI: Lawyers involved in the controversy surrounding the alleged physical assault on YouTuber Rajab Butt at the City Courts have agreed to end their dispute, with both sides deciding to withdraw criminal cases and complaints filed before various bar bodies against each other.
The matter stemmed from an incident on Dec 29, 2025, when Mr Butt was allegedly assaulted by a group of lawyers while appearing before the court for the hearing of his bail plea in a case registered against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The incident triggered strong reactions within legal circles and drew criticism from government officials, including Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar, who described the episode as unfortunate and regrettable.
Following the incident, Butt’s counsel, Mian Ali Ashfaq, lodged a criminal case against Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi, Advocate Abdul Fatah and 15 to 20 unidentified lawyers. The FIR invoked several provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, including sections related to rioting, criminal intimidation, theft after preparation for causing harm, and causing injuries.
Separately, on the request of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA), the Punjab Bar Council suspended Mian Ashfaq’s licence to practise on Jan 1 and referred the matter to its disciplinary committee, further escalating tensions between the rival groups of lawyers.
On Thursday, however, efforts at reconciliation bore fruit when Mian Ashfaq visited the KBA office at its invitation and addressed a press conference alongside KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich, General Secretary Rehman Korai, senior advocate Rehan Aziz, Advocate Riaz Solangi and Advocate Abdul Fatah. The interaction followed closed-door discussions aimed at resolving the dispute.
Addressing the media, Mr Ashfaq said that after detailed deliberations, both sides had agreed, without any conditions, to withdraw the cases and complaints registered against each other. He did not clarify whether the criminal case against the YouTuber for allegedly hurting religious sentiments would also be withdrawn. He praised the KBA for facilitating dialogue and providing a platform for an amicable resolution.
You May Also Like: Transfer of judge holding May 9 trials in Lahore withdrawn
KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich said the incident had brought disrepute to the legal fraternity and underscored the need for restraint and professionalism. He urged lawyers to limit their role to legal representation, particularly in sensitive matters involving religion, and stressed that violence had no place in the legal profession.
Speaking to the media, Mr Warraich said the incident had tarnished the reputation of the legal community.https://t.co/3ZYwWDS8jo
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 9, 2026
He further said that litigants approaching courts were entitled to respect and security, adding that such incidents undermined public confidence in the justice system.
Despite the settlement between the lawyers, the legal proceedings against Rajab Butt remain pending. He is scheduled to appear before a Karachi court on Jan 13 for the confirmation or otherwise of his interim bail in the case related to allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
Check out our latest video:
