ISLAMABAD:
Despite surprising results in several divisions, the government-backed Independent Group is expected to retain its dominant position in the bar, maintaining the status quo in favor of the ruling administration.
Legal experts believe that the results of the Islamabad Bar Council elections could have significant implications for five judges of the Islamabad High Court – particularly Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri – who would not be in the good books of the current regime.
The Independent Group, considered the pro-government bloc, won the majority of seats in the Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Bar Councils. Meanwhile, the Professional Group, known for its opposition to the 26th constitutional amendment, emerged with a majority in the Balochistan Bar Council.
In the Sindh Bar Council, both groups won an almost equal number of seats, leaving the balance of power uncertain at the moment.
A similar situation prevails in Punjab, where both camps claim to hold the majority. The official results are expected after November 6, when the Punjab Advocate General will announce the final tally.
However, members of the Professional Group expressed concern that the results could be manipulated in favor of the government-backed Independent Group.
Of the 75 seats in the Punjab Bar Council, the Independent Group is said to have achieved unexpected success in the Lahore and Gujranwala divisions – areas where the Professional Group claims a majority.
The Independent Group now claims victory with 45 seats.
Maqsood Buttar, a senior member of the professional group, said around 40 candidates jointly fielded by their group and the Insaf Lawyers Forum (ISF) won in Punjab. He added that they were also reaching out to non-aligned members, especially those elected from South Punjab.
However, senior lawyers note that the Independent Group has the advantage of forming alliances with non-aligned members in the Punjab Bar Council. They also expressed surprise that despite PTI’s popularity in KP, its legal wing failed to secure a majority in the KP Bar Council.
Lawyer Maha Raja Tareen observed that the results of the Islamabad Bar Council elections “will have serious and subtle consequences not only on the cases of Imran Khan, but also on the cases pending in the lower courts regarding the entire PTI.”
“Following this electoral setback, the prospects for transparency and hearing times in legal proceedings have further diminished, and the institutional avenues for Imran Khan’s legal defense are now almost blocked,” she added.
However, Chaudhry Faisal Hussain argued that the success of the Independent Group “does not mean that all lawyers support the 26th constitutional amendment”, adding that lawyers “usually give votes to good candidates in bar elections”.
Meanwhile, both groups are now turning their attention to the upcoming Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) elections, scheduled for December.
The Professional Group is expected to nominate lawyer Salahuddin Ahmed to the apex body regulating lawyers, which has 23 seats. Members of provincial bar councils are elected for a five-year term.
A member of the trade group said they hoped to achieve a majority in the PBC this time.
Senior lawyers, however, point out that Independent Group leaders, such as Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Ahsan Bhoon, are seasoned veterans of bar politics – and that, coupled with government support, make the group a formidable force.
Given the current dynamics, observers believe it will be difficult to defeat the Independent Group in the PBC elections.
The conclusion of the provincial bar polls is also expected to pave the way for the draft 27th constitutional amendment to be tabled in Parliament soon.
