Crucial SCBA election on Oct 31

PML-N supporting Ali Ahmed Kurd and PTI backing Amanullah Kanrani for president’s post

ISLAMABAD: A crucial election of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) is scheduled for October 31. Renowned lawyers Ali Ahmad Kurd and Amanullah Kanrani are contesting for the slot of the SCBA president. Owing to importance of SCBA, role of political parties has also increased in the poll.

Both the contestants belong to Balochistan. This will be the first SCBA election after the demise of renowned lawyer Asma Jahangir, who had been heading Independent Lawyers Group since 2010.

Now the same group has fielded Kurd, who vows to work for restoration of civilian supremacy as well as dignity of lawyers, who are not given proper hearing in the apex court.

Addressing a lawyers gathering arranged by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) senior member Syed Kalb-e-Hassan, Kurd said cases are being dismissed before the lawyers reach the rostrum for pleading.

“Lawyers have key role as they assist the courts in providing justice. If people are not getting justice then judiciary is responsible,” he added.

Kurd, who was active member of lawyers’ movement for restoration of judges, believes that only legal community can fight against dictatorial regimes in Pakistan.

Former SCBA present Yasin Azad while supporting Kurd said the SCBA is not only a body of SC lawyers but it is also representative of 220 million people.

“In the prevailing situation, where our civilian institutions are being weakened, the SCBA election is vital,” he added. “No judiciary is independent without independent bar.”

Owing to importance of the SCBA, the role of political parties in the elections has also increased. Opponent of Kurd are alleging that he is a candidate of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The lawyers belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by former Punjab governor Rafiq Rajwana are campaigning for him.  The PPP lawyers are divided.  Senior lawyer Latif Khosa is supporting Amanullah Kanrani while several senior party lawyers are backing Kurd.

Amanullah Kanrani, who is a candidate of the Professional Group led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hamid Khan, is getting support from the government functionaries. Law Minister Dr Farogh Nasim and Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan have been associated with Hamid Khan.

The government has postponed appointment of new law officers till the SCBA election. The Professional Group wants to get support from the incumbent law officers, who were appointed by the PML-N.

Except for AGP Khan, no new law officer has been appointed by the Punjab or federal governments.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Kanrani said they will make independent bar as it should be not an instrument of any political party or judiciary. Everything should be done in accordance with the law and Constitution.