Saturday, October 30, 2010

Asma Jehangir Becomes First Lady In Pakistan to Head Bar Association


By GAUTAM Jha

PAKISTAN NEWS - Well-known human rights activist Asma Jehangir has surprised the world of being the first lady to become the president of Supreme Court Bar Association in Pakistan. She won a closely-contested election by 38 votes over her nearest and strongest rival Ahmed Owais. She asserted that she would work for the independence of the bar. Her agenda was that the lawyers should not be subservient to judges as any such development would hollow the integrity and honesty of judiciary.

This is the proud moment for Pakistan as well as the first step to reduce the gap of gender-equality. Speaking to the media after winning the election, Ms Jehangir interpreted her victory as a “defeat for reactionary forces and the establishment”. Her victory has silenced the male-chauvinist and bound to open a new era of transparency and dignity of judicial system. She proclaimed, “ this is the victory of democratic forces who believe in the rule of law.

Earlier, the election was touted between pro-Supreme Court lawyers and independent lawyers. During the campaign, her rival tried to eclipse her prospects by portraying her as a candidate of the Pakistan People's Party besides the numerous allegations such as pro-U.S., pro-India and pro-Ahmadis.

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