Supreme Court Bar polls underway amid Karachi delay

Supreme Court Bar elections underway in Lahore and Peshawar, polling delayed in Karachi

Polling for the 2026–27 annual elections of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) is underway in Lahore and Peshawar, while the process has been delayed in Karachi due to the absence of polling agents, according to election officials.

A total of 4,634 registered voters across the country are eligible to cast their votes in the annual elections. Polling in Lahore and Peshawar is scheduled to continue until 5pm, with a lunch break at 1pm.

In Karachi, polling was delayed as election staff waited for the arrival of polling agents. Presiding Officer Ishtiaq Memon said ballot materials would be opened in the presence of the polling agents before voting could begin.

Polling in Karachi is scheduled to take place at the New Bar Room of the Sindh High Court. Ishtiaq Memon, vice chairman of the Sindh Bar Council, and council member Ameer Bakhsh Metlo have been appointed as presiding officers for the election process.

The elections are being contested for several key positions in the Supreme Court Bar Association, including president, secretary, additional secretary and finance secretary.

For the post of president, Syed Amjad Ali Shah of the Independent Group is facing Sardar Amanullah Khan of the Professional Group.

The contest for secretary is between Arif Awan of the Independent Group and Mian Irfan Akram of the Professional Group. Meanwhile, Qazi Shehryar Iqbal and Saira Khalid Rajput are competing for the post of additional secretary.

For the position of finance secretary, Muhammad Tanveer Chaudhry is contesting against Rai Azhar Iqbal Kharl.

The annual elections are an important event for the country’s legal community, as the elected office-bearers represent the interests of lawyers and play a role in addressing professional and institutional matters concerning the legal fraternity.