PESHAWAR: A single-member bench of the Peshawar High Court headed by Chief Justice SM Attique Shah on Thursday suspended the licence of Liaqat Ali advocate, a member of Tehsil Bar Kabal, for allegedly running propaganda against judges of the courts in Swat without evidence.
The court also barred him from entering court premises and referred the matter to the chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council for further necessary action.The court simultaneously issued a show-cause notice to the lawyer in contempt of court proceedings, asking why action should not be initiated against him under the contempt law and his licence permanently revoked.
According to a written order issued by the chief justice, the lawyer had circulated a video on social media containing serious allegations against judges of the Swat district judiciary. Subsequently, the high court appointed Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Khan as an inquiry officer to ascertain the facts.
However, the inquiry revealed that the lawyer failed to produce any concrete evidence or even identify the judges against whom the allegations were made.The order stated that the investigation established that the lawyer’s actions were aimed solely at pressuring judicial officers, which falls within the category of professional misconduct, leading to the suspension of his licence.
The court further directed that until further orders, the lawyer would not be allowed to enter any court or represent clients in legal proceedings. The case has been forwarded to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, where the chairman and vice chairman would review the matter and take appropriate action against him.
The bench also issued a show-cause notice to the lawyer, seeking a written response as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated and his licence permanently cancelled. The hearing was adjourned after the court sought his reply.
