The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday announced that a lawyer sentenced to six months in prison for making derogatory comments against a female judge on social media. The accused, Asadullah Advocate, was also fined Rs 100,000.
According to the court order, the lawyer was found guilty of contempt under Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2004. The case involved offensive language directed at a female civil judge posted in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A formal complaint had been lodged against the lawyer after he made inappropriate remarks on social media platforms. In its verdict, the PHC confirmed that Asadullah Advocate had violated the law and committed contempt of court.
The court issued a short order, noting that a detailed judgment would follow later. Officials said the punishment reflects the judiciary’s zero-tolerance approach toward disrespectful behavior against judges.
This case marks a significant enforcement of legal accountability for lawyers. Legal experts say that social media misconduct can now result in both imprisonment and financial penalties.
Following the PHC ruling, observers noted that the lawyer sentenced serves as a warning to other members of the legal profession. Lawyers are reminded to maintain professional decorum and respect judicial authority in both online and offline spaces.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been reviewing measures to regulate social media use by minors under 16. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued notices to the federal government in a petition filed by a minor, Akbar Khan Shinwari, through his father.
The IHC highlighted the risks of unregulated social media access, including cyberbullying, mental health challenges, privacy violations, and exposure to harmful content. Authorities have been asked to ensure children’s safety online.
The PHC ruling comes at a time when courts are increasingly monitoring social media behavior. Legal analysts believe this step reinforces accountability, and the lawyer sentenced case may influence future guidelines for professional conduct online.
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