LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (Multan Bench) has ordered the local police to provide security to a businessman to ensure his safe appearance before the Ex-Officio Justice of Peace, following concerns that he seeks registration of a case against the representatives of the District Bar Association, Multan.

Justice Sadiq Mahmud Khurram passed the order of June 17 hearing in a petition filed by petitioner Farooq Ahmad Bhatti against the city police officer (CPO) and seven others.

The petitioner appeared in person before the court while district bar association’s general secretary Malik Sadaat Hussain, a government law officer and a counsel for the association also attended the hearing.

Bhatti informed the court that he intends to file an application under Section 22-A 22-B of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before the ex-officio justice of peace for registration of a case against the bar leaders.

He said because the matter relates to the district bar association, he faces legitimate security risks. He requested the high court’s intervention to secure protection just to safely present his grievances before the lower court.

Taking note of the threat perception, Justice Khurram disposed of the writ petition with instructions to the Chehlyak station house officer, Multan, to ensure the safety and security of the petitioner during his appearances before the ex-officio justice of peace.

The judge directed the SHO to establish liaison with the petitioner and ensure that his appearances are made possible and during those appearances, the security and safety of the petitioner is ensured.

Additionally, the judge directed the ex-officio justice of peace to decide the petitioner’s upcoming application independently, strictly on its merits, and without being prejudiced in any manner once it is officially filed.

Bhatti, who owns an advertising business, had signed a contract with district bar association in 2016 to install four hoarding boards in Multan district courts.

He alleged that the bar’s cabinet violated the contract and permitted the installation of two hoardings only against annual rent.

Later, Bhatti said, the bar officials also illegally occupied the hoardings installed in the district courts, obstructed his business and kept asking for bribes on multiple occasions.

He alleged that the bar’s leadership unlawfully rented out the occupied boards on its own to extort money.

The businessman has been pursuing cases before the different courts for the recovery of his money and the structure of the billboards.

Last year, a special judge (rent) ruled that Multan district bar association’s representatives had no lawful ownership or authority over the land of district courts where publicity hoarding boards were installed.

The judge declared the land was the property of the Lahore High Court, ownership of which vested in the government of Punjab.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026