Lawyers on Thursday agreed to end their weeks-long infighting over the alleged assault of YouTuber Rajab Butt on the City Courts premises in Karachi, marking a de-escalation in an episode that had drawn criticism from senior officials and bar leaders. Both sides pledged to withdraw the criminal cases and complaints lodged before various bar bodies against each other.
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The confrontation began on December 29, 2025, when Butt was allegedly attacked by several lawyers while arriving for the hearing of his bail plea in a case accusing him of hurting religious sentiments. The incident caused widespread concern, prompting Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar to term the episode “regrettable” and a bad reflection on the legal community.
Following the altercation, Butt’s counsel, Mian Ali Ashfaq, registered a case against multiple lawyers under provisions relating to rioting, intimidation and causing hurt. At the same time, the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) approached the Punjab Bar Council (PBC) seeking action against Ashfaq, which led to the suspension of his licence pending a disciplinary review.
On Thursday, Ashfaq appeared at the KBA office alongside its president Aamir Nawaz Warraich, senior counsel and the lawyers reportedly involved in the original dispute. After closed-door talks, Ashfaq said both parties had reached an unconditional understanding to withdraw complaints, though he did not clarify whether the original case against Butt for allegedly hurting religious sentiments would also be withdrawn.
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KBA leaders expressed relief over the settlement, noting that the altercation had damaged the reputation of the legal fraternity. Warraich urged lawyers to remain within the role of counsel rather than becoming complainants in sensitive matters, and stressed that litigants must be treated with respect.
Rajab Butt is due to reappear before the Karachi court on January 13 for confirmation or cancellation of his interim bail in the religious sentiments case.