Heads of lawyer bodies trade misconduct allegation.

PESHAWAR -- The presidents of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) and Peshawar Bar Association (PBA), belonging to rival political groups, have aroused controversy by accusing each other of committing misconduct and demanding their removal by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council.

PHCBA president Rahmanullah and PBA president Ali Zaman also issued show cause notices to each other seeking explanation for wrongful conduct within three days to prevent action.

Mr Rahmanullah belongs to Malgaray Wakeelan, the lawyers' wing of Awami National Party, whereas Mr Zaman is a member of the Insaf Lawyers Forum, which is affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

The issue has emerged after Mr Zaman had visited the offices of the PHCBA's finance wing and allegedly manhandled cleric Shah Faisal.

PHCBA, PBA presidents demand each other's removal by bar council

Mr Faisal accused Mr Zaman of used swearwords against him and damaging property, but the latter denied the allegations and levelled the misbehaviour charge against the former.

A war of words was going on between the two associations over the Waqar Ahmad Seth Memorial Tournament-Lawyers Unity Sports Gala slated to be held in December.

A few days ago, the PBA president had alleged that the PHCBA would fund the sports gala though the Peshawar metropolitan mayor had promised its sponsorship.

The PHCBA condemned Mr Zaman's statement insisting in a news release that the sports gala would be sponsored by the mayor and the allegations by the PBA president were based on his 'own presumptions'.

On a written complaint of staff member Shah Faisal, Mr Rahmanullah sent a show cause notice to Mr Zaman on Friday and also a complaint was submitted with the KP Bar Council vice-chairman.

In the complaint he alleged that Mr Zaman had attacked the office of PHCBA's finance office and damaged the property there, slapped the employee and used abusive language to him and his family members and gave life threats in...