LAHORE: Legal bodies in Pakistan and abroad have condemned the fine imposed on a senior advocate by the Lahore High Court (LHC), saying such actions could discourage lawyers and citizens from pursuing public interest litigation (PIL).

An LHC judge had dismissed a public interest plea filed by Advocate Azhar Siddique seeking directions regarding electricity loadshedding, gas shortages and energy sector governance, imposing a punitive cost of Rs100,000 on the petitioner-lawyer.

In their separate statements, the lawyers’ bodies apprehended that penalising a counsel for raising public issues could affect access to justice and accountability.

The London-based International Lawyers Association (ILA) issued a resolution, stating that public interest litigation is an important constitutional mechanism for enforcing fundamental rights.

It warns that financial penalties against lawyers pursuing genuine public causes may discourage the lawyers, civil society organisations and citizens seeking legal remedies.

The ILA says it had shared its resolution with the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), provincial chief justices and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC).

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) also expressed concern, saying the energy crisis had severely affected households, industries, hospitals and the agriculture sector.

It appreciated Advocate Siddique’s efforts to raise such matters through constitutional forums and reiterated that the bar would support lawyers working for public rights.

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) also extended support to Mr Siddique, stating that public-spirited litigation serves as a constitutional tool for protection of collective rights and welfare.

The legal bodies say lawyers raising public grievances should not face measures that restrict their ability to seek judicial intervention.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026