Bar polls today amid tight security

Over 6,500 lawyers to cast votes, Ramazan may affect turnout

RAWALPINDI:

Annual elections of the High Court Bar Association will be held on Saturday with more than 6,500 lawyer-voters expected to cast their votes.

Polling will take place from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

Due to Ramazan, voter turnout is expected to remain comparatively low. Lawyers from Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Mianwali, Jhelum, Talagang and Murree districts will participate in the voting process. In view of severe security threats, strict and foolproof security arrangements have been made.

Female lawyers who left regular practice after marriage will also cast their votes. A tough and interesting contest is expected for the presidency among Saeed Yousaf Khan, Faisal Butt and Aftab Warraich.

The fake degree scandal has further intensified the competition.

Major political parties including Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamaat-i-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have entered the electoral arena to support their preferred candidates. For the key seat of secretary general, Malik Saleh, Qasim Malik and Misbah Aziz Kiani are in the race.

For vice president, Naila Firdous Kiani and Saqib Chaudhry are contesting, while for senior vice president Saima Shujai and Shazia Yousaf Raja are competing. Sheikh Fahad Fayyaz and Shehzad Ali are contesting for joint secretary.