Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Amin Lakhani said on Thursday that the Council stood by its decision to boycott coming elections. Lakhani said that the filing of nomination papers for a National Assembly seat by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Aitezaz Ahsan would be taken up by the PBC next week.
He said that the decision to participate in January 8 elections on a PPP ticket by Aitezaz Ahsan is contrary to PBC's decision but it is yet be decided how the PBC should react in this matter. He said that the lawyers fraternity was united on its stand for the restoration of independence of judiciary and restoration of judicial officials in the pre-November 3 position.
It is interesting to note that advocates from different constituencies in the Punjab have withdrawn their nomination papers in compliance with the PBC stand and have demanded restoration of judges in their November 3 positions.
Political circles have doubt if Aitezaz Ahsan would withdraw his nomination papers and compromise his long political career with seemingly short-term gain. It is a matter of choice between a short-lived position of the SCBA president and a long-lasting political career likely to bring him laurels in the future.
Insiders in the PPP said that Ahsan doesn't enjoy good relations with Benazir Bhutto and many other PPP leaders. They have allegedly charged him of conspiring against the interest of the party and its top leaders.