The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice has unanimously approved major amendments to the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in a move designed to enhance the credibility, transparency, and operational efficiency of bar councils across Pakistan. The revised bill introduces new requirements for elections and candidate eligibility aimed at ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of these key legal institutions.
The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek at the Old PIPS Hall in Islamabad’s Parliament Lodges, saw participation from a number of prominent figures, including Senators Syed Ali Zafar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Abdul Qadir, and Khalil Tahir. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, chairmen of provincial Bar Councils, and other leading members of the legal community also attended, underscoring the importance of the legislative reforms.
Following a detailed, clause-by-clause review, the committee gave unanimous approval to the bill with several key amendments. One of the most significant changes mandates that elections for Bar Councils will now be held on the first Saturday of November each year, with a strict deadline preventing their postponement beyond the second Saturday of that month. This provision is intended to bring greater predictability and uniformity to the electoral process in both provincial and federal bar councils.
To further strengthen the professional standards within bar councils, the bill establishes stricter eligibility criteria for election candidates. After extensive deliberation, the committee settled on a requirement that candidates for Bar Council seats must be enrolled as High Court advocates for a minimum of ten years, and have independently handled at least thirty cases. This measure seeks to ensure that only experienced and qualified legal professionals are entrusted with leadership roles.
The amendments also provide for the disqualification of individuals convicted of offences involving moral turpitude or those sentenced to two years or more in prison, unless their release occurred at least five years prior to contesting. This clause aims to reinforce the ethical standards expected of Bar Council members.
Another notable development under the amendment is the allocation of Bar Council seats for the recently merged districts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. These areas will now receive formal representation within the council, in accordance with the specifications outlined in the act, thus ensuring inclusivity and equitable participation.
Recognizing the crucial role played by Bar Councils in upholding constitutional values, the rule of law, and judicial independence, the committee emphasized the need for a robust and transparent election mechanism. The newly adopted amendments are intended to guarantee that only candidates possessing the requisite legal expertise and ethical standards serve within these influential bodies.
Other constitutional amendment bills scheduled for consideration during the session were deferred to a later date.
