31/08/2025
Bar Council Elections in Pakistan and their Negative Impact on Lawyers, Judiciary and the Public
The original purpose of the Bar Council elections in Pakistan was to work for the welfare of lawyers, strengthen the judiciary and improve the justice system. But over time, this system has deteriorated and now it has become a source of corruption, personal interests and injustice. Due to this, lawyers are also suffering and the public is also deprived of justice.
The main issues are as follows:
1. Money game
In elections, people with money and power win instead of service and ability. Invitations, gifts and expenses have become common. Poor but capable lawyers are left behind.
2. Vote buying
Bribery and vote buying are common in elections. Representatives make false promises and obtain positions by buying them.
3. Personal relations with judges and officers
Representatives take personal benefits by establishing relations with judges, police and politicians, but ordinary lawyers and the public do not get any facilities.
4. Neglect of lawyers’ issues
Medical facilities, stipends, libraries and support for young lawyers are not provided.
5. Families of lawyers are abandoned
There is no pension or assistance system for the children and widows of deceased lawyers.
6. Leaving lawyers at the mercy of the police
The police harass lawyers and sometimes even kill them, but the representatives do nothing.
7. Fake candidates
Most candidates are not actually lawyers but do business and have fake licenses.
8. Patronage of criminals
Some representatives assure criminals that they will influence the judges and get concessions in their cases. This does not work for honest lawyers and the public loses faith in justice.
9. Political rivalry
Lawyers who oppose the representatives are subjected to retaliation.
10. Personal gain
Representatives use their seats only to get jobs and privileges.
11. No accountability
No one holds them accountable after being elected. They act arbitrarily.
12. Exploitation of young lawyers
Young lawyers are used in election campaigns but later they are abandoned.
13. Factionalism
Lawyers are divided into different groups. This division starts from college itself.
14. No long-term planning
Representatives only make temporary promises, there are no lasting reforms.
15. Suppression of opponents
False cases are made against those who oppose.
16. State within a state
Representatives have formed such powerful groups that they run their own separate state.
17. Politics first, career second
Politics is given priority in elections, not professional issues.
18. Monopoly of Bar Elites
A few families and groups control the Bar Council, ordinary lawyers are deprived of representation.
19. Influence on the appointment of judges
Representatives influence the appointment of judges through recommendations and relationships.
20. Putting pressure on judges and officials
Representatives blackmail them into making decisions in their favor.
21. Interference in courts
Representatives disrupt the proceedings of the courts and put pressure on judges.
22. Grouping within lawyers
Representatives work for the benefit of personal groups, not for everyone.
23. Neighborhood with political parties
Representatives align with political parties and judicial appointments are made on political orders.
24. Suppression of honest lawyers
Some judges use representatives to create false cases against honest lawyers in order to silence them.
25. Against the Constitution and Islam
This system is against the Constitution of Pakistan and Islamic principles because it promotes favoritism and corruption instead of justice.
26. Collusion with government officials
Representatives take personal benefits in collaboration with government officials and false cases are made against any lawyer who stands against it.
Conclusion
Representatives of the Bar Council are a major reason for the decline of the judicial system. Where there is no justice, even the state cannot function. Today Pakistan is in this danger.
This system is no longer a convenience for lawyers and the public, but a means of destruction. Therefore, it must be changed and a new transparent system should be brought where success is only based on ability, honesty and service.
