Pakistan's lawyers have been accused of demanding a monopoly on black suits and white shirts after writing to the authorities to stop waiters wearing the “uniform” of the legal profession.
Three bar councils have written to their respective provincial governments to express dismay at staff in hotels and marriage halls donning the same clothes.
Pakistan's lawyers are instantly recognisable with their black suits and ties which and consider the dress code they have followed since the time of the British Raj as a status symbol.
The leaders of groups of lawyers in Punjab, Balochistan and Islamabad have now threatened to take legal action unless waiting staff are banned from wearing the garb.
“Nobody is allowed to wear the uniform of lawyers except the lawyers,” the secretary of the Punjab bar council wrote to the provincial chief secretary over the weekend.
“If anybody will found in the uniform of lawyers at any place - marriage hall, hotels, event hall - I have clear directions to proceed under the relevant provision of law."
A similar letter from the Islamabad bar council to the local chief commissioner explained that “even a law graduate cannot wear the proper uniform until and unless he passes the entry test and completes his six month training period for enrolment as a advocate”.
The letters were widely shared and mocked on social media in Pakistan.
One lawyer on Twitter called the edicts the “latest chapter to the very lengthy book titled 'Why no one respects lawyers in Pakistan'.”
“I think they should also issue a cease and desist notice to all Hollywood celebrities who wear lawyers' uniform at the Oscar Awards,” joked another.
The bar councils stood by their request. Ayub Tareen, chairman of the executive committee of the Balochistan bar council, told The National: "Waiters are our brothers, but we want bifurcation in their uniform as the lawyers and judges have a uniform across the world and no one copies that."
Previous legal petitions to limit who could wear the clothing have been dismissed in court as unenforceable and against common sense.
Pakistan's lawyers make up an influential power bloc in the country, but for a profession dedicated to the rule of law, some members have also attracted a remarkable reputation for thuggery.
In late 2019, three heart patients died after a mob of lawyers rampaged through a Lahore hospital in a dispute with doctors.
About 200 lawyers, all wearing black suits, stormed the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), forcing doctors and nurses to abandon intensive care patients.
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
Guardians%20of%20the%20Galaxy%20Vol%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Gunn%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Dave%20Bautista%2C%20Vin%20Diesel%2C%20Bradley%20Cooper%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
The%20Roundup
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Ma%20Dong-seok%2C%20Sukku%20Son%2C%20Choi%20Gwi-hwa%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
