SHCBA Hyd chapter rejects invitation to K-P CM

Says general secretary had issued invitation without consulting governing body

HYDERABAD:

An invitation to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to visit and address the legal fraternity has triggered divisions within the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), Hyderabad, with the dominant group of lawyers rejecting the move.

A day after SHCBA Hyderabad's General Secretary, Advocate Israr Hussain Chang, issued an invitation to the K-P chief minister, the bar's Managing Committee on Thursday, by an overwhelming majority, disowned and rejected the invitation.

In a press release issued after the meeting, the bar's office-bearers stated that the general secretary had used the association's official letterhead without obtaining prior approval from the Managing Committee.

"The general secretary used the letterhead of the bar without the consent of the Managing Committee for the aforesaid programme," the statement read.

The press release was jointly signed by SHCBA President Advocate Ishrat Ali Lohar, Vice President Advocate Nisar Ahmed Channa, Joint Secretary Advocate Ghulam Ali Talpur, Library Secretary Advocate Zainul-Abedin Sahito, and Treasurer Advocate Zeeshan Ali Memon.

The statement further singled out Advocate Chang for issuing letter No 12/2026 dated January 7, titled 'Warm welcome and expression of solidarity', asserting that he had acted "in his personal capacity" and without authorisation.

In the letter addressed to the K-P chief minister, who is scheduled to visit Hyderabad on January 10, Advocate Chang expressed support for Afridi's stance on the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments. He also sought the chief minister's reciprocal support for the lawyers' ongoing struggles against corporate farming, protection of the Karoonjhar mountain range, and safeguarding Sindh's water rights.

Meanwhile, the SHCBA Managing Committee on Thursday also rejected an application submitted by its member Advocate Azmatullah Channa seeking permission to formally welcome the K-P chief minister and allow him to address the lawyers. Of the 12-member Managing Committee, 11 members voted against the proposal.

The press release reiterated that the Managing Committee had neither approved the invitation nor granted permission for the K-P chief minister to visit the bar or address the legal fraternity.