by Hasnaat Malik in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2023.
ISLAMABAD: The recent assertive statements from the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja have triggered debates about the underlying motives that prompted such strong remarks.
The Independent Group, also recognised as the Asma Jahangir Group, wields significant influence over the SCBA and the PBC.
Reports suggest that certain bar representatives, particularly Ahsan Bhoon, expressed discontent over the recent electoral constituency delimitations conducted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
This dissatisfaction led them to file a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the delimitation process, particularly focusing on Hafizabad district.
While this matter remained pending in court, the ECP proceeded to announce the election schedule. However, the Supreme Court on Monday clarified its stance, asserting that the courts would not intervene in the delimitation process at this stage to avoid delaying the scheduled elections on Feb 8.
Certain bar representatives, including Bhoon, hold the view that the current CEC is accountable for allegedly conducting an unfair delimitation process. Consequently, they felt compelled to issue forceful statements against Raja.
Upon the release of these statements by the SCBA and the PBC, supporters of the PTI on social media utilised them to criticise the incumbent CEC, who has been facing severe backlash from the former ruling party.
However, these statements have brought discomfort to the PML-N, which holds influence over both bar associations. PML-N Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar serves as an executive member of the PBC and has shown visible displeasure regarding the issued statements.
Efforts are under way within the Independent Group to mitigate the impact of these statements. Recent indications suggest that bar representatives are emphasising their stance for timely general elections and retracting their demand for the CEC’s resignation.
Senior legal experts suggest that if the CEC had addressed the concerns raised by Bhoon regarding alleged irregularities in the Hafizabad delimitations, the bar might not have felt compelled to issue these statements.
Despite previous assertions, there are doubts if the bar representatives will pursue their protest plans as outlined in the PBC statement. However, it remains evident that Bhoon leads the Independent Group, holding a majority within both the PBC and the SCBA.
Curiously, this same group is considered close to the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, who has demonstrated a firm resolve to conduct the elections on Feb 8.
Currently, there is no concrete evidence suggesting the involvement of influential circles behind the bar associations’ recent statements against the CEC.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450602/will-bars-pursue-delimitations-matter
