Ahsan Legal Services

26/08/2026

The Question Every Client Should Ask Their Lawyer

Most clients ask their lawyer:
Can we win this case?
It is a fair question.

But, in my experience, there is another question that is often far more important:
What can go wrong?

A good lawyer should not only tell you about your chances of success.
They should also identify:
i. The weaknesses in your case;
ii. The risks you may not have considered;
iii. The evidence you may be missing;
iv. The time and cost involved;
v. The possible consequences of losing; and
vi. Whether litigation is even the best option

Sometimes, the best legal advice is not:
Yes, we should go to court.
Sometimes it is:
Let's think about this carefully before we go to court.

Clients deserve honest advice, even when that advice is not what they want to hear. Because the role of a lawyer is not merely to fight for a client. It is also to help the client make a better-informed decision.

Should a lawyer always tell a client what they want to hear, or what they need to hear?

13/08/2026

“Pakistan has no law of torts.”

How many times have we heard this?

But is it really correct?

Pakistan may not have a single, comprehensive Torts Act. Yet our legal system contains a surprisingly extensive body of law dealing with civil wrongs, damages and compensation.

Consider:

• Negligence and common-law liability

• Fatal Accidents Act, 1855

• Defamation Ordinance, 2002

• Punjab Defamation Act, 2024

• Consumer Protection laws

• Motor-vehicle accident compensation

• Medical negligence

• Contractual damages

• Constitutional/public-law compensation

• Diyat, Arsh and Daman

• Compensation under the CrPC

• Interest and other monetary remedies

And here is the more interesting question:

Are Diyat, Arsh and Daman completely separate from the philosophy of compensatory justice—or do they reveal an important Islamic dimension of compensation for legally recognised harm?

Perhaps the real problem is not that Pakistan has “no tort law.”

Perhaps the problem is that our law of civil wrongs is scattered across common law, statutes, Islamic legal provisions, consumer legislation and constitutional jurisprudence.

So, should Pakistan have a modern, consolidated Law of Torts?

I have explored this question—and the many available routes to damages and compensation—in my latest detailed article:

Read the full analysis:

https://alspk.org/2026/08/13/does-pakistan-really-have-no-law-of-torts/



I would particularly like to hear from Pakistani lawyers, judges, academics and law students:

Is Pakistan's tort law absent—or merely fragmented?

The Hidden Law of Civil Wrongs, Damages and Compensation in Pakistan Introduction A statement frequently heard in Pakistani legal circles is: “There is no law of torts in Pakistan.” The statement i…

28/07/2026

New Article Published
Do you know that not every homicide is treated as murder under Pakistani law?
Many people are unaware of the legal distinction between:
Qatl-i-Amd
Qatl Shibh-i-Amd
Qatl-i-Khata
Qatl-bis-Sabab
This article also explains:
Qisas
Diyat
Compromise in murder cases
Fasad-fil-Arz
Punishments under the Pakistan Penal Code
Whether you are a lawyer, law student, or simply interested in understanding your legal rights, this article provides a practical explanation in simple language.
Read here:
https://alspk.org/2026/07/28/qatl-murder-under-pakistani-law/
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A Practical Guide to the Law of Homicide, Qisas and Diyat An Original Legal Commentary by Ahsan Legal Services (ALS) Introduction The unlawful taking of human life is regarded as one of the gravest…

26/07/2026

https://alspk.org/2026/07/26/from-the-indian-penal-code-to-the-qisas-and-diyat-reforms-the-historical-evolution-of-pakistans-law-of-homicide/

Introduction The law relating to homicide represents one of the oldest and most significant branches of criminal jurisprudence. Every legal system seeks to answer a fundamental question: how should…

17/07/2026

20 Lessons from 20 Years in Law
Lesson #1: Build Your Reputation Before Chasing Income
When I started my legal career nearly 20 years ago, like many young lawyers, I was eager to establish myself and earn well. Over time, I learned a lesson that has shaped every stage of my professional journey:
Build your reputation before chasing income.
In the legal profession, clients may come through advertising, referrals, or networking—but they stay because of trust.
Your reputation is built one file, one client, and one appearance at a time.
Young lawyers often feel pressure to accept every brief, promise unrealistic outcomes, or prioritize immediate financial gain. While the temptation is understandable, shortcuts rarely lead to lasting success.
Instead:
- Be honest with your clients, even when the truth is difficult.
- Prepare every case thoroughly, regardless of the fee involved.
- Honour your commitments and respect deadlines.
- Treat every client, colleague, and court with professionalism.
- Protect your integrity; it takes years to build and only moments to lose.
Over the years, I have come to believe that income follows reputation, not the other way around. A lawyer known for competence, ethics, and reliability will always find opportunities, even during challenging times.
To every fresh lawyer beginning this remarkable journey: Invest in your name before you invest in your earnings. Your reputation will become your greatest professional asset.
This is Lesson #1 of my "20 Lessons from 20 Years in Law" series.
Which lesson would you like me to cover next?

20 Lessons from 20 Years in Law Lesson #1: Build Your Reputation Before Chasing Income When I started my legal career nearly 20 years ago, like many young lawyers, I was eager to establish myself and earn well. Over time, I learned a lesson that has shaped every stage of my professional journey: Bui...

10/07/2026

20 YEARS IN LAW: 20 LESSONS EVERY YOUNG LAWYER SHOULD KNOW
Twenty years ago, I entered the legal profession with more questions than answers. Today, after two decades of litigation, advisory work, teaching, and learning from both victories and setbacks, these are the lessons I wish every young lawyer knew from day one.
If I could share just a few lessons with fresh and young lawyers, they would be:
1. Build your reputation before chasing income.
2. Master legal drafting; it is the foundation of advocacy.
3. Preparation wins more cases than talent alone.
4. Never compromise your ethics for short-term success.
5. Learn to communicate with clients honestly and professionally.
6. Read judgments regularly; never stop learning.
7. Respect the Court, your colleagues, and your opponents.
8. Develop skills beyond law: negotiation, technology, AI, and networking.
9. Be patient; litigation is a marathon, not a sprint.
10. Your credibility is your most valuable professional asset.
11. Learn from every case, whether you win or lose.
12. Time management is a competitive advantage.
13. Keep your promises to clients realistic, not emotional.
14. Stay humble; every lawyer remains a student of the law.
15. Invest in relationships, not just contacts.
16. Learn from experienced lawyers, but develop your own style.
17. Focus on solutions, not just legal problems.
18. Handle pressure with professionalism and composure.
19. Keep improving your writing and speaking skills.
20. Remember: your character will take you further than your qualifications.
These are only the highlights. Each lesson has a story, a courtroom experience, and a practical takeaway behind it.
Would you like me to share a detailed post on each of these 20 lessons? Which lesson should I cover first?
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ahsanshahzad1_legalprofession-legalcareer-mentorship-share-7481200647862714368-WXhi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAhGG1wBhJfrLZWNf7H9pXS2bQyxkwAsMyw

20 YEARS IN LAW: 20 LESSONS EVERY YOUNG LAWYER SHOULD KNOW Twenty years ago, I entered the legal profession with more questions than answers. Today, after two decades of litigation, advisory work, teaching, and learning from both victories and setbacks, these are the lessons I wish every young lawye...

05/07/2026

https://alspk.org/2026/07/05/why-good-documentation-wins-court-cases-lessons-every-individual-and-business-should-learn/

Every lawyer has, at some point, heard a client say, “I am telling the truth. That should be enough.” While honesty is fundamental, the legal system does not decide cases based on emoti…

04/07/2026

The First Five Minutes Before a Judge Matter the Most
Many young lawyers believe that a case is won by quoting more precedents or speaking for a longer time. In reality, the first five minutes of your appearance often determine how the rest of your argument will be received.
Before you cite a single judgment, the court is already observing you.
• Are you prepared?
• Do you know your facts?
• Can you identify the real issue without reading every line from your file?
• Can you assist the court instead of merely arguing with the opposing counsel?
A judge hears many of cases in a day. What immediately captures attention is not volume or theatrics; rather, it is clarity, preparation, and respect for the court's time.
An effective advocate should be able to answer three questions within the opening moments:
• What is this case about?
• What is the legal issue requiring determination?
• What relief is being sought, and why is it justified?
If these questions are answered clearly and confidently, the court is more likely to engage with your submissions. If they are not, even the strongest legal authorities may struggle to make an impact.
Preparation is therefore not about carrying a heavier file; it is about organising your thoughts before you rise to address the court.
After nearly two decades in litigation, one lesson has remained constant: Judges appreciate advocates who simplify complex disputes, present facts honestly, and help the court reach the correct conclusion.
The first five minutes do not decide every case, but they often decide whether the court has confidence in the advocate presenting it.