Imran Khan faces setback as anti-government lawyers win Pakistan Bar Council elections

In a major setback for Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Asma Group, an anti-government group of lawyers, has won the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) elections.

As per the latest update as many as 17 members of the Asma Group out of 23 have received majority in the elections.

It is important to note here that it was Asma Group that had opposed the government’s decision to extend the tenure of Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

While most of the elected members are from parties from Pakistan Democratic Movement, it is being reported that Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e Islam legal wings have played a major role to help the Asma Group members to win the contest.

It is the same group of lawyers who had criticised the government on issues such as civil liberties, freedom of speech and Justice Qazi Faez Isa case.

As the PDM holds rallies demanding the resignation of Imran Khan, political analysts have been quoted as saying that the role of the bar is of utmost importance in the current situation.