Zardari, Gilani, Musharraf felicitate Asma on winning SCBA presidential election

Islamabad, Oct 28 (ANI): Pakistan Supreme Court Advocate and noted human rights activist Asma Jehangir has won the annual elections of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), becoming the first ever woman president of the most significant lawyers' association.

Asma, who had earlier fought for the restoration of the judges but has now become a strong critic of the apex Court, secured 834 votes against 796 votes bagged by her closest competitor Ahmed Owais in SCBA polls, The News reported.

President Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, former president Pervez Musharraf and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain have felicitated Asma on her historic win.

In his message of felicitation to Asma, Zardari said, "The legal fraternity and lawyers community have reposed confidence in her and acknowledged her abilities as a great lawyer and a fearless leader".

Wishing the newly elected SCBA President all success in her future endeavours, Gilani said, "Your election as President of SCBA is reflective of the lawyers' confidence in your leadership."

The premier expressed the hope that during her tenure as the SCBA president, the lawyers' community would take full benefit from her professional acumen and guidelines in carrying out the judicial affairs of the country.

It is noteworthy that though Asma had earlier supported the lawyers' movement and the restoration of judges, she changed her stance soon after the formation of the PPP government and became a harsh critic of the Supreme Court, more in line with the position taken by Zardari and his PPP government.

She has been making some anti-judiciary statements, especially in response to its December 16, 2009 judgment, which not only declared Musharraf's November 3 emergency as illegal and unconstitutional but also sent the Dogar court judges home. (ANI)