LAHORE: The Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) has suspended the licences of 1,133 lawyers for failing to submit Higher Education Commission (HEC)-verified copies of their LLB degrees.

According to a press release issued on Saturday, the action was taken pursuant to a decision of the council’s general house.

The PbBC said a total of 1,194 lawyers had been directed to furnish HEC verification certificates by July 15, but 1,133 failed to comply despite being given repeated opportunities.

The council said only 29 lawyers submitted their HEC-verified LLB degrees within the stipulated period.

Meanwhile, 32 cases involving graduates of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur have been referred to the executive committee for further scrutiny.

The suspended lawyers hold LLB degrees from Gomal University, Mirpur University, Mohiuddin Islamic University, the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, University of Sindh, and Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur.

The council said the suspensions would remain in force until the affected lawyers submit HEC-verified degrees in accordance with the council’s directives.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2026