Bid to erode provincial autonomy rejected

Leaders of the Malgari Wakilan and Jamiat Lawyers Forum have rejected the recent Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council elections, alleging massive irregularities, misuse of government funds, and attempts to buy the conscience of lawyers. They vowed to jointly struggle for democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional supremacy, warning that if the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment undermines provincial autonomy, they will take to the streets in protest.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Peshawar High Court, Malgari Wakilan Provincial President Rafiq Mohmand and Jamiat Lawyers Forum Provincial President Jalaluddin Advocate accused the election authorities of serious misconduct and political interference. They were flanked by K-P Bar member Ahmad Farooq Khattak, Peshawar High Court Bar President Aminur Rehman Yousafzai, Supreme Court Bar Vice President Fazal Shah Mohmand, Tariq Afghan, and several other office-bearers of both groups.

Rafiq Mohmand expressed gratitude to Jamiat Lawyers Forum for supporting Malgari Wakilan, saying the two groups would continue their joint efforts for democracy and constitutional supremacy. "The role of the returning officer in the Bar Council elections was extremely disappointing," he said.