Govt-backed group cements its hold on PBC

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government-backed Independent Group has consolidated its influence within the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), securing a majority in the apex regulatory body of lawyers for the next five years in an election that carries far-reaching institutional and political implications.

Led by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Ahsan Bhoon, Independent Group is a vocal supporter of the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments.

Its dominance is also being viewed as a shot in the arm for the nascent Federal Constitutional Court, which is navigating an early phase marked by legal and administrative challenges.

Out of the PBC's of 23 seats, the group has won eight seats from Punjab, four from Sindh, two from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and one from Islamabad, enabling it to retain its longstanding majority.

The election drew heightened attention due to the direct participation of key political and legal figures. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General Secretary Salman Akram Raja both contested the polls and were elected as members of the council.

Five members belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have also been elected to the PBC. Farooq H Naek, regarded as one of the PPP's top legal minds, has also secured a seat on the council.

Independent Group, widely known as a pro-government bloc, has remained in the majority in the PBC since 2010.

A majority of PBC members nominate their representative to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), a constitutional body responsible for the appointment of judges.

Independent Group has exercised considerable influence in the appointment of judges to the superi-or judiciary, particularly the high courts, and its latest victory potentially reinforces its position to do so.

On the other hand, Professional Group, aligned with the PTI and a strong critic of the two constitution-al amendments, failed to secure a majority in the PBC poll. Although the group performed well in pro-vincial bar council elections, its momentum did not translate into success at the national level.

A member of the Professional Group said that shortly after the provincial bar council elections, the group was well placed to secure a majority in the PBC. However, he alleged that the government used its influence over members of provincial bar councils to sway support in the PBC election.

However, members of Independent Group rejected allegations of government interference. They said their leaders, Ahsan Bhoon and Azam Nazeer Tarar, remain accessible to bar members and active-ly address their concerns. "Our group believes in the welfare of the bar, and this is the key to success," a member of the group said.

Meanwhile, senior lawyers have expressed jubilation over the election of renowned lawyer Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed to the PBC.

Salahuddin, who belongs to Professional Group, is widely recognised as a vocal advocate for judicial independence and the rule of law.

It is worth noting that Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed has served as counsel for Justice Qazi Faez Isa and six Islamabad High Court judges, and currently represents the Supreme Court Press Association in a suo motu case concerning the protection of journalists.