FIR registration under Lawyers’ Welfare and Protection Act: LHCBA terms Addl Judge’s order significant, historic legal milestone

ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has termed the order passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Lahore, as a significant and historic legal milestone, particularly the direction for registration of an FIR under the Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act, 2023.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the LHCBA stated that the judicial direction unequivocally reaffirms the supremacy of law and fortifies the statutory framework enacted to safeguard the honour, dignity, and security of the legal profession.

The LHCBA emphasized that the order sends a clear and unambiguous message that lawyers, while performing their professional duties, are entitled to full and effective protection under the law, without fear or intimidation.

The LHCBA expressed its complete solidarity with Waheed Shahzad Butt, Advocate Supreme Court, who, while discharging his professional obligations, was reportedly subjected to unjustified pressure, threats, harassment, and the use of insulting and derogatory language.

The Association declared that such conduct against a member of the legal fraternity is wholly unacceptable and strikes at the very foundation of the justice system.

The LHCBA also expressed serious concern and strong disapproval over the press release issued by the Inland Revenue Officers Association (IRSOA), noting that instead of respecting the ongoing judicial process, the statement appears to justify conduct that is already subject to a court-directed legal process.

The LHCBA termed such public posturing by service associations on sub judice matters as institutionally improper, legally reckless, and potentially obstructive, cautioning that it risks exerting undue pressure on law-enforcement agencies and undermining judicial independence.

LHCBA warned that it will not tolerate any recurrence of such incidents and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety, dignity, and professional independence of lawyers across Punjab.

The Association urged the government, Bar Councils, and all relevant institutions to treat this issue not as an isolated incident involving an individual lawyer, but as a test case for institutional protection of the legal profession, effective enforcement of laws enacted for lawyers’ security, and, above all, the uncompromising principle of the supremacy of law.

The LHCBA reaffirmed that any attempt to dilute, trivialize, or sideline the protection guaranteed to lawyers under the law will be met with firm institutional resistance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026