ISLAMABAD – Syed Wajid Ali Gilani, the candidate of the Ahsan Bhoon group, emerged victorious in a narrowly contested election for president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA). The poll, which started at dawn and concluded by 4:30 PM, featured decorations such as balloons and flowers inside the newly built IHCBA headquarters. While legal professionals cast their votes, some rival supporters clashed over results during the count.
Out of a total of 2,633 registered members, 1,605 voted in what was the first election held at the new IHCBA building. As part of these proceedings, senior lawyers managed to quell minor disputes between Gilani’s and Gujjar’s supporters. According to Chief Election Board Adil Aziz Qazi’s official notification, Gilani secured 770 votes to defeat Gujjar who received 761. Farzana Faisal Khan was elected as Additional Secretary with a tally of 865 votes, edging out her opponent Palwasha Ayaz Khan by 221 votes. Usman Nasir won the Joint Secretary position with 939 votes against Wajahat Ghori’s 553. Rida Batool secured Finance Secretary status with an 860-vote lead over Syed Salahuddin, who received 625.
Celebrations broke out among supporters of Gilani and Faisal Khan as they celebrated their victories, but presidential candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar raised objections to the results. His team demanded a recount. Vice President Sabir Ahmed was elected unopposed, while Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi took on the role of Secretary without opposition. Auditor Farooq Iqbal Khan also secured their positions uncontested.
This election underscored the political landscape within Pakistan’s legal community and the stakes associated with leadership roles in prominent bar associations.