Advocate Ashfaq defends 'honey trap' remarks against Momina during PbBC license suspension proceedings
The Punjab Bar Council's Disciplinary Committee (PbBC) on Wednesday restricted all lawyers associated with the dispute between actress Momina Iqbal. PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar from making public statements to the media regarding the case till the disciplinary proceedings conclude.
A four-member disciplinary committee headed by Chairman Abbas Ali Chadhar issued the direction while hearing applications seeking suspension of the legal licenses of Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, counsel for Chadhar,. lawyer Rimsha Iqbal, sister of Momina.
During the proceedings. the committee chairman stated that no lawyer connected with the matter would be allowed to discuss the case in the media while the disciplinary proceedings remain pending.
The committee also questioned Advocate Ashfaq about his professional credentials, asking whether he was a barrister. whether he possessed a Bar-at-Law qualification.
The committee subsequently directed him to produce his Bar-at-Law degree.
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. contended that advocates are not permitted to engage in employment under the relevant rules.
Questioning Rimsha, the committee asked how many media interviews she had given while wearing a lawyer's uniform. She replied that she had participated in six to seven interviews in professional attire.
Read:Punjab CM Maryam warns against harassment, misuse of influence in actor–MPA case
The committee further asked whether she was acting as legal counsel in the case or merely speaking as Momina's sister. Rimsha responded that she was standing by her sister in a personal capacity. not appearing as counsel in the matter.
Rejecting the allegations against her, Rimsha termed them baseless. stated that documentary proof should be produced if it was being alleged that she had been employed.
She explained that she had been studying in Australia and had undertaken part-time work alongside her studies.
The chairman observed during the hearing. a dispute between two private individuals had effectively become an ego issue for lawyers on both sides.
He also asked whether the PBC had been informed about any employment undertaken by Rimsha during her stay in Australia.
In the first phase of the proceedings. MPA Chadhar told the committee that the statements made by his lawyer outside the NCCIA office had been made on his instructions. He said Advocate Ashfaq had not independently made remarks regarding Momina or her sister, Rimsha.
During the hearing. 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. whether unverified evidence could be publicly presented before being tested in a court of law.
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. that the opposing side had held significantly more media briefings.
Referring to his earlier media statements. Advocate Ashfaq claimed that evidence in his possession related to interactions between the parties from 2020 to 2025. He further contended. allegations of cyber harassment made in 2026 must be examined in light of the broader factual record.
The committee also questioned Advocate Ashfaq's use of the term "honey trap" during a press briefing. asked whether such terminology was appropriate for a lawyer speaking publicly about a pending dispute.
Also Read:Actor Momina Iqbal appeals to CM Maryam for justice after receiving 'death threats'
In response, the lawyer offered to present evidence before the committee. 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. 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.
During the proceedings, Momina's sister, Rimsha, also appeared before the PBC. The committee, however, decided to first complete hearing one side before considering further submissions.
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