A division bench of the High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Justice Amir Hani Muslim on Thursday issued notices to Deputy Attorney General, Advocate General Sindh and Sindh Bar Council (SBC) for Friday, November 19 in a petition challenging amendment in Legal Practitioners Act, 1973. Haneef Ahmed Bhatti advocate challenged the amendment made in the Act through an ordinance on 3-11-2004.
The petitioner maintains that previously, a candidate to a seat of SBC needs a seven-year standing at the bar but under the new amendment, now ten year standing is required for candidature besides enrolment as a lawyer at High Court was also made compulsory.
Raja Qureshi advocate appearing for the petitioner submitted before the bench today that petitioner filed the nomination paper before the said amendment. He also submitted that at least in one province of Pakistan elections for Bar Council was held under the Act of 1973.
The petitioner and other junior members candidates would suffer if the amendment remains in field, the petitioner's counsel submitted praying to the court to declare the amendment abolished.
The bench after hearing the counsel for petitioner issued notices to the respondent for tomorrow fixing the hearing at 11 am as elections to SBC are drawing close.