Independent group's Qalbe Hassan wins SCBA top slot.

LAHORE -- In a one-on-one contest, Syed Qalbe Hassan of the Independent group was elected on Thursday president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for the year 2019-20.

However, the slot of secretary was notched by Shamimur Rehman Malik of the Hamid Khan-led Professional group.

As per unofficial results, Mr Hassan secured 1,381 votes against 950 bagged by his rival Shoaib Shaheen of the Professional group.

Both candidates for the presidential slot were from Islamabad since the top slot this year was reserved for the federal capital as per rotation policy.

Mr Hassan of the Independent group [famously known as the late Asma Jahangir group] had the backing of PML-N Lawyers Forum, Peoples Lawyers Forum and PML-Q lawyers' wing as well.

Pakistan Bar Council's member Ahsan Bhoon, Azam Nazir Tarar, Abid Saqi, former governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, Ali Ahmad Kurd and Khalid Ranjha were among main supporters of Mr Hassan.

In his victory speech, Mr Hassan vowed to fulfil all promises he had made to lawyers and to serve the community irrespective of any political biases. He thanked the voters for giving him the mandate.

As the results were announced at the Supreme Court's Lahore registry, supporters of the winning candidates burst into chants. They showered rose petals on the winners and danced to the beat of drums.

Mr Malik was elected secretary with 1,175 votes, while his rival Rana ShahAzad Farooq got 1,125.

Mr Malik was a repeater as he had lost his last year election against Azmatullah Chaudhry of the IndepAendent group.

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