Independent Group retains SCBA dominance as Amjad Shah wins presidency

ISLAMABAD: Senior lawyer Syed Amjad Ali Shah has been elected president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for the 2026-27 term, according to unofficial results, defeating rival Sardar Amanullah Khan in Thursday’s annual elections.

Shah, representing the Asma Jahangir Group, also known as the Independent Group, contested against Amanullah Khan of the Hamid Khan-led Professional Group.

According to unofficial results reported from Lahore, Shah secured 644 votes against 400 for Amanullah Khan, giving the Independent Group candidate a clear lead at the country’s largest polling station.

Voting was held at 13 polling stations across the country, with more than 4,600 lawyers eligible to cast their ballots. The elections were held to choose the association’s president, secretary, provincial vice presidents and other office-bearers for the coming term.

The Independent Group’s victory drew congratulations from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who praised the group’s leadership, particularly Ahsan Bhoon and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif said the victory reflected lawyers’ confidence in the government’s policies and support for its constitutional and legal reforms.

He congratulated Shah and the other elected office-bearers, expressing hope that the new leadership would strengthen cooperation between the government and the legal community in promoting the rule of law and justice.

Law Minister Tarar also congratulated the Independent Group, saying its repeated electoral successes reflected lawyers’ confidence in Bhoon’s leadership.

He said the group had prioritised lawyers’ welfare and the dignity of the bar.

Tarar also paid tribute to the late Asma Jahangir for her struggle for principles and her contributions to the rule of law, saying he hoped the new leadership would continue working for lawyers’ welfare and the standing of the association.

Before the election, the contest for the presidency had drawn attention after the Professional Group challenged Shah’s eligibility, alleging that he had submitted a fake degree. The election committee rejected the objections and allowed him to contest.

The Supreme Court Bar Association represents lawyers practising before the country’s top court and frequently engages with issues concerning judicial independence, constitutional matters and legal reforms.