Ahsan Bhoon’s Independent Group Secures Majority in Punjab Bar Council Elections

Lahore:In the unofficial and preliminary results of the **Punjab Bar Council elections**, **Ahsan Bhoon’s Independent Group** has emerged victorious with **45 seats**, gaining a clear majority over its rivals.

According to early reports, **Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates** managed to win only **15 seats**, while the **vote counting on 15 other seats** is still underway. The **final results will be officially announced on November 17**.

Federal Law Minister **Azam Nazeer Tarar** congratulated the Independent Group on their success.

The **five-year term elections** were held on **Saturday**, featuring a keen contest between the **Asma Jahangir Independent Group** and the **Hamid Khan Professional Group** across **75 seats**. Over **132,000 lawyers** exercised their right to vote across Punjab.

In **Lahore**, 16 seats were contested by **77 candidates**, with more than **31,000 lawyers** casting their votes. Prominent legal figures including **Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Ahsan Bhoon, Hamid Khan, Ashfaq Bhullar, and Sardar Latif Khosa** participated in the polling process.

A total of **52 polling booths** were set up within the premises of the **Lahore High Court**, where **judicial officers served as presiding officers**. The polling began at **8:30 a.m.** and continued until **5:30 p.m.**, with a one-hour break in between.

Strict security and discipline were maintained during the process — **campaigning, slogan chanting, and gatherings** were completely banned inside polling stations. Roads surrounding the area, including **Fan Road, Turner Road, and Supreme Court Registry Road**, were closed to regular traffic. Entry was only allowed through **identity verification**, with voters entering via the **Mosque Gate, Mall Road Gate, and Turner Road Gate**.

After casting his vote, **Ahsan Bhoon**, head of the Independent Group, expressed confidence in victory, saying, *“Just like the Supreme Court Bar elections, we will also triumph in the Punjab Bar Council elections.”*
Meanwhile, **Hamid Khan** and **Lahore High Court Bar President Asif Naswana** asserted that the **Professional Group’s victory** was inevitable.