Senior lawyer Syed Amjad Ali Shah has won the presidency of the Supreme Court Bar Association for the 2026-27 term, according to unofficial results. He defeated Sardar Amanullah Khan in the association’s annual elections held on Thursday.
Shah ran with the Asma Jahangir Group, also called the Independent Group, while his rival represented the Professional Group led by Hamid Khan. Unofficial figures gave Shah 644 votes to Amanullah Khan’s 400, a clear lead at what was described as the country’s largest polling station.
Polling across the country and the posts at stake
Voting took place at 13 polling stations nationwide, and more than 4,600 lawyers were eligible to cast ballots. The contest determined the president, the secretary, provincial vice presidents and other office-bearers who will serve in the coming term.
Also read: SCBA elections: Asma Jahangir, Hamid Khan groups vie
The association represents lawyers who practise before the country’s top court. It regularly takes up matters such as judicial independence, constitutional questions and legal reform.
Government leaders welcome the Independent Group’s victory
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the group and praised its leadership, naming Ahsan Bhoon and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif said the result showed lawyers’ confidence in the government’s policies and its support for constitutional and legal reforms.
Sharif congratulated Shah and the other office-bearers. He expressed hope that the new leadership would strengthen cooperation between the government and the legal community on the rule of law and justice.
Tarar said the group’s repeated electoral wins reflected lawyers’ trust in Bhoon’s leadership and its focus on lawyers’ welfare and the dignity of the bar. He also paid tribute to the late Asma Jahangir for her commitment to principles and to the rule of law.
Eligibility challenge before the vote
Before the election, the Professional Group challenged Shah’s eligibility and alleged that he had submitted a fake degree. The election committee rejected these objections and allowed him to contest the post.
