Punjab Bar Council Issues Notices to Over 100 Hotels, Restaurants

The Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) has issued notices to more than 100 hotels and restaurants across the province, directing them to immediately stop using uniforms resembling the official dress of advocates for their staff or face legal action.

According to a notice issued by the chairman of the PbBC Disciplinary Committee, the council received multiple complaints that employees at various hospitality establishments were wearing attire similar to the official uniforms of lawyers and judges.

The council stated that individuals who are not enrolled as advocates are prohibited from wearing the official lawyers’ uniform, adding that such misuse may constitute an offence under the law.

The notices require the establishments to provide details of employees wearing the uniforms, explain their job responsibilities, and respond to the allegations before the disciplinary committee.

The council also warned that if the practice continues, strict legal action could be taken against the companies, as well as their directors, owners, shareholders, and employees.

Speaking to Dawn, PbBC Disciplinary Committee Chairman Abbas Ali Chadhar said the move should not be seen as an attempt to portray lawyers as a privileged class.

He urged hotels and restaurants to change the uniforms of waiters and other staff to avoid confusion among the public, who may mistake them for practicing lawyers. Chadhar added that the issue also extends to attire associated with judges, saying official judicial dress should not be imitated or misused.

According to the council, the prescribed uniform for male advocates consists of a black coat, white shirt, black tie, black, grey, or white trousers, or a white shalwar kameez paired with a black sherwani. For female advocates, the prescribed uniform includes a black coat, white shalwar kameez, and a white dupatta.