More than 8000 members of Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) will exercise their right of vote on polling day here on Saturday (today) that will continue from 9am to 5pm with one hour lunch break. The polling would be held at LHCBA premises.
Observers are rating the contest as a one way traffic this time because a deposed judge, former Justice MA Shahid Siddqiui, now retired under constitution, is certain to clinch the covet slot with ease and comfort. It is interesting to mention here that no other candidate announced his candidature till 15 days ago when a lawyer Farooq Ahmed Bajwa emerged as a candidate.
MA Shahid Siddiqui earned laurel after declining to bow before the whims of a dictator and declined to take oath under November 3, 2007 PCO. Later the establishment made several attempts to change his loyalties by getting vacant official residence but he remained steadfast against all odds. Moreover, Professional Group the most powerful group in bar politics, headed by Hamid Khan has announced him as candidate.
Rabbiya Bajwa and Muqtidar Akhtar Shabbir are contesting for secretary seat. A third candidate, Irfan Qureshi is vying for the slot too. Observers are of the view that both are potential candidates and it could be any body's game however a section of legal community is rating Rabbiya as winning candidate.
Four candidates are in the fray for one seat of vice president (VP). Munawar Gondal, Mian Jamil Akhtar, Rana Aqeel Nasir and Babar Khilji. Munawar is affiliated with PML-N while Professional group has extended support to him. For the seat of finance secretary Aneela Cheema and Rai Nawaz Kharal are in the field and the observers are expecting that Aneela is going to notch the seat which has been won by women candidates over the years.