The Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) has issued notices to 1,200 lawyers whose academic degrees remain unverified by the Higher Education Commission. The council has set May 15 as the final deadline for verification, warning that failure to comply will result in suspension of licences and possible legal action.
According to officials, the unverified degrees are linked to several universities, including University of Karachi, University of Sindh, Gomal University, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mohiuddin Islamic University, and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai University.
The PbBC has directed all affected lawyers to complete their degree verification through HEC and submit attested documents before the deadline. Authorities have made it clear that strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply, including immediate suspension of their right to practise law.
In addition, the council has warned individuals using fake degrees, impersonating lawyers, or practising law while holding government positions to regularise their status. Moving forward, the bar council has announced that no new lawyer will be enrolled without prior degree verification by the HEC.
This step reflects a broader effort to ensure transparency, credibility, and professionalism within the legal system in Punjab.
