The Punjab Bar Council's Disciplinary Committee (PbBC) on Wednesday imposed restrictions on all lawyers associated with the ongoing dispute between actress Momina Iqbal and PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar. The committee directed that no lawyer connected to the case shall make public statements to the media until the disciplinary proceedings conclude.
Committee's Directive on Media Statements
A four-member disciplinary committee, chaired by Abbas Ali Chadhar, issued the directive while hearing applications seeking the suspension of legal licenses of Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, counsel for Chadhar, and lawyer Rimsha Iqbal, Momina's sister. The chairman stated that no lawyer involved in the matter would be allowed to discuss the case in the media while the disciplinary proceedings remain pending.
Advocate Ashfaq's Credentials Questioned
During the proceedings, the committee questioned Advocate Ashfaq about his professional qualifications, asking whether he was a barrister and possessed a Bar-at-Law qualification. The committee subsequently directed him to produce his Bar-at-Law degree.
Allegations Against Rimsha Iqbal
The hearing then turned to the application seeking suspension of Rimsha's license. Advocate Ashfaq argued that Rimsha had been employed in Australia while holding a legal license, contending that advocates are not permitted to engage in employment under relevant rules. The committee asked Rimsha how many media interviews she had given while wearing a lawyer's uniform. She responded that she had participated in six to seven interviews in professional attire.
The committee further inquired whether she was acting as legal counsel in the case or merely speaking as Momina's sister. Rimsha replied that she was standing by her sister in a personal capacity and not as counsel. Rejecting the allegations as baseless, she stated that documentary proof should be produced if it was alleged she had been employed. She explained that she had been studying in Australia and undertook part-time work alongside her studies.
Ego Issue Among Lawyers
The chairman observed that the dispute between two private individuals had become an ego issue for lawyers on both sides. He also asked whether the Punjab Bar Council had been informed about any employment undertaken by Rimsha during her stay in Australia.
MPA Chadhar's Statement
In the first phase of proceedings, MPA Chadhar told the committee that statements made by his lawyer outside the NCCIA office were made on his instructions. He said Advocate Ashfaq had not independently made remarks regarding Momina or her sister.
Limits on Public Comments by Lawyers
The committee repeatedly questioned the extent to which a lawyer may publicly comment on behalf of a client while legal proceedings remain pending. The chairman asked whether an advocate should have limits when discussing a case in the media and whether unverified evidence could be publicly presented before being tested in court.
Advocate Ashfaq argued that a lawyer was duty-bound to responsibly convey his client's position. He maintained that only a small fraction of the material available to his side had been disclosed publicly and that the opposing side had held significantly more media briefings. Referring to his earlier media statements, he claimed that evidence in his possession related to interactions between the parties from 2020 to 2025. He further contended that allegations of cyber harassment made in 2026 must be examined in light of the broader factual record.
Use of 'Honey Trap' Terminology
The committee also questioned Advocate Ashfaq's use of the term 'honey trap' during a press briefing and asked whether such terminology was appropriate for a lawyer speaking publicly about a pending dispute. In response, the lawyer offered to present evidence before the committee and stated that his defence rested on what he described as the truth of the matter.
At one point, the chairman stated that 'truth' ultimately requires legal determination and observed that the dispute had reached an unusual stage where lawyers themselves had become the subject of disciplinary complaints arising from arguments made in ongoing litigation.
Rimsha's Appearance
During the proceedings, Momina's sister, Rimsha, appeared before the PBC. The committee decided to first complete hearing one side before considering further submissions.
