The Lahore High Court (LHC)  suspended two rules from the federal government’s September 8 amendments, ordering that the Punjab Bar Council elections be held under the old regulations on November 1. The high court issued a significant ruling concerning the Bar Council and Legal Practitioners Rules 1976, halting the implementation of the latest amendments. The LHC order temporarily suspends Rules 6(1) and 175, introduced by the federal government earlier this month, on September 8.

As a result of the judgement, the condition requiring lawyers to have practised in a single district for five years before qualifying has also been set aside. Justice Khalid Ishaq of the Lahore High Court issued the interim order while hearing petitions challenging the amendments. Following this decision, the Punjab Bar Council elections will now proceed on November 1 under the previous rules.

It is pertinent to mention that on September 17, 2025, a crackdown was initiated on code of conduct violations in the Punjab Bar Council elections on the instructions of Assistant Advocate General Muhammad Usman Khan. In this regard, the Advocate General has delegated his authority as the returning officer to Assistant Advocate General Muhammad Usman Khan. In the first phase, Lahore, while operations will be carried out in other districts in the second phase.

Candidates' advertising banners and flexes have been removed in the vicinity of the Lahore High Court (LHC). Advertising materials displayed on Turner Road, Fan Road, Model Town, Cantt Court, and other places have been removed. A crackdown will be initiated against advertising campaigns in the Sessions Court, Lahore, soon. Assistant Advocate General Usman Khan said strict legal action will be taken against candidates who violate the code of conduct.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)