PBC declares Iqbal Gondal as LHCBA chief

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has declared Munawar Iqbal Gondal as a 'successful-cum-elevated' president of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) showing exit door to incumbent Nasira Iqbal. "It is the victory of rule of law. I am glad that PBC has accepted my point of view", Gondal said.
Presidential controversy of the bar took a new turn when Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is due to visit the Bar on October 10 (Saturday) upon the now-deposed President Bar Nasira Iqbal's invitation.
After resuming his office, Gondal has requested CJP to visit the Bar as per schedule, however, sources close to CJP have claimed that it is highly unlikely that CJP would visit the Bar in this unfavourable scenario. The senior lawyers also believe that the new development has seriously dented the chances of the CJP's visit to the Bar.
Munawar Iqbal Gondal, who has been claiming himself as president even in the presence of Nasira, had arranged a tea party for the judges removed through July 31 verdict. CJP has taken a strong notice of uttering derogatory remarks thereby one of the removed judges Zulifqar Ali Bokhari and served contempt of court notice on him.
It is for the second time that Nasira has been shown exit door in the wake of presidential controversy that erupted after Justice MA Shahid Siddiqui, the then bar president, elevated as a Supreme Court judge. Gondal, who was elected the vice president in February 2009, claimed to be the bar president as per the bar rules and traditions. Gondal's opponent did not recognise him and pressed for re-election, the demand he declined. Later a panel of former presidents of the Bar held self-arranged election on June 06 last and declared Nasira Iqbal as president.
Gondal challenged that move in the Punjab Bar Council that set aside Nasira's election and announced fresh election for July 11. Meanwhile Gondal approached Pakistan Bar Council to obtain a stay order against election, which was not granted, however his main petition remained pending. Nasira also challenged PBC jurisdiction in the LHC and that petition is still lying pending before Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed.
Resultantly, Nasira again contested election on July 11 and again won. She assumed president office but Gondal did not recognise her and kept on claiming himself as the Bar president. Former Justice Nasira Javed Iqbal has vacated the president office after the decision of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) while Gondal has taken charge as president.