Famous Pakistani-French fashion designer Mehmood Bhatti accused a group of lawyers of mistreating him in Lahore court. Bhatti and his elder brother, Advocate Munir Bhatti, fought over property. Bhatti voiced frustration about the legal struggle and questioned the treatment of abroad Pakistanis in the court system outside the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Bhatti said his senior lawyer brother had filed 23 lawsuits against him, reportedly using intimidation to hamper his work. The dispute involves land Bhatti claims was for an orphanage project but has been unable to proceed with due to legal issues. After four years of regular court appearances from Paris and spending Rs1.4 million, the issue remained unresolved.
The fashion designer said 30 civil court lawyers attacked him in a previous hearing. He was disappointed that no action was taken. Bhatti has accused his brother of arranging the abuse and demanded responsibility.
Munir Bhatti has applied to the LHC to cross-examine a witness in the property case. The Justice Ali Baqar Najafi-led hearing was adjourned without progress. The LHC has also halted property dispute civil court procedures.
As Mehmood Bhatti fights the court system to resolve the family conflict, his assertions raise questions about rights for foreign Pakistanis in legal disputes in their homeland.
