Punjab Bar Council issues deadline to 1,200 lawyers over unverified degrees

Punjab Bar Council has issued notices to 1,200 lawyers whose academic degrees remain unverified by the Higher Education Commission, setting May 15 as the final deadline for compliance

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2026) Punjab Bar Council has issued notices to 1,200 lawyers whose academic degrees remain unverified by the Higher education Commission, setting May 15 as the final deadline for compliance.

According to an official statement released here on Monday, all affected lawyers have been directed to get their degrees verified by the HEC and submit the attested documents to the Bar Council within the stipulated time. Authorities warned that failure to comply will result in immediate suspension of licenses, along with further legal action.

In a joint statement, Vice Chairman Khawaja Qaiser Butt and Executive Committee Chairman Fakhar Hayat Awan said the unverified degrees were issued by several universities, including Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai University, University of Sindh, University of Karachi, Gomal University, Mirpur University, and Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University.

They emphasized that lawyers with unverified credentials must complete the verification process before the deadline. The council also announced a stricter policy for future enrollments, making HEC degree verification mandatory for all new applicants.

The statement further warned that individuals practicing law with fake degrees, as well as those holding government or semi-government jobs while engaging in legal practice, have been given a final opportunity to regularize their status. After the deadline, no leniency will be shown.

The Bar Council leadership urged all concerned to comply with the directives, warning that strict legal action would be taken against violators.