The annual elections of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) would be held today (Saturday), as tough fight is predicted between Rasheed A Rizvi and Yasin Azad for the presidential slot of the Bar.

Significance of the SCBA's elections has increased manifold following the successful lawyers' movement, as the legal fraternity has emerged as an strong pressure group in Pakistan, due to which political parties are much involved in the elections.

Lawyers predict tough contest between Rizvi and Azad, as both the candidates enjoy good reputation among the lawyers.

Both the candidates belong to Sindh as per the rotation policy of the Bar this year president would be from Sindh.

However, like every year Lahore has become the epicenter of the electioneering as 70 percent members of SCBA are from Punjab.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is supporting Yasin Azad, therefore Chairman People's Lawyers Forum Sardar Latif Khosa, who is also Governor of Punjab, and Senator Babar Awan are campaigning for him.

Senior lawyers said that the government was trying to elect a president of its liking so its did not face any challenge from the bar.

It has been learnt that more than 100 PCO judges, who were removed as per July 31, 2009 judgement of the apex court, are fully campaigning for Yasin Azad.

On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is backing Rasheed A Rizvi, who is presidential candidate of Hamid Khan Group.

PML-N MNA Naseer Ahmad Bhutta Advocate also announced his support for Hamid Khan Group and PML-N Lawyers Forum led by Punjab deputy speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan is campaigning for Rizvi.

It is to be mentioned here that Hamid Khan-led Professional Group is known for his pro-judiciary stance, as renowned lawyers associated with Hamid Khan group have already announced to form All Lawyers and Civil Society Co-ordination Council for launching movement against the government for non-implementation of the apex court's verdicts.

Talking to media person, Rasheed A Rizvi alleged that the government was using its influence in bar's elections by resorting to different tactics like appointments of law officers.

He accused Khosa of using his office to influence the elections, as he visited Peshawar as well as Karachi for campaigning for Azad.

Rizvi contended that most of seniors PPP lawyers like Aitzaz Ahsen and Shah Khawar were supporting him in the SCBA elections due to his long struggle in the lawyers' movement.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the role of the present SCBA executive body and said that the present body was working against the independence of judiciary.

As many as 10 candidates are contesting for four seats of vice presidents -one for each province.

Contestant for VP Punjab are among others Imrana Baloch, Khadim Husain and Nadeem Malik.

Two candidates Jahanzeb Khan Jadoon and Mushtaq Ahmad Anjum are contesting for VP Balochistan.

Muhammad Arif and Muhammad Nasir Mehmood Khan are vying for VP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

K.A Wahab, Shafaat Husain and Syed Jamil Ahmad are aspirants for VP Sindh.

For the elections, nine polling stations will be established across the country.

A total of 20,251 voters would exercise their right to vote.

SOURCE: BUSINESS RECORDER