ATTOCK, Jan 28: Serious dispute has emerged over the election of district Bar Association (DBA) President as both the winner and the runner-up have filed petitions against each others before the Punjab Bar Council (PBC), it has been learnt.

Syed Azmat Ali Bukhari advocate filed a complaint with the PBC challenging the election of Malik Mohammad Anwar advocate as president of DBA. As a tit for tat, Malik Mohammad Anwar also challenged the candidature of Syed Azmat Ali Bukhari.

Malik Mohammad Anwar won the election by one vote begging 119 votes. The election for the DBA was held on January 13.

Syed Azmat Ali Bukhari in his petition alleged that a rejected vote was counted in favour of his opponent Mr Anwar advocate giving him one vote lead, therefore, his election should be declared unlawful. He also prayed to the court that till final outcome of the petition, the election results should be stayed.

Newly-elected DBA President Malik Mohammad Anwar advocate in his petition said Mr Bukhari advocate participation in the election was illegal as he was member of PBC’s standing committee at the time of election.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, the PBC's executive committee suspended the election of Malik Mohammad Anwar advocate as President Attock DBA and appointed the senior DBA’s lawyer Malik Khalil Akhtar advocate as acting DBA’s President, DBA sources said.

Being unsatisfied with the Punjab Bar Council's decision, Mr Anwar also filed an appeal before Pakistan Bar council against the stay, they said.

PBC’s committee had obtained record of DBA’s election from the three-member election committee.

The acting president of district bar association, Malik Khalil Akhtar advocate, confirmed that Punjab Bar Council had appointed him as caretaker president till final decision of the petitions.

Pakistan Bar council decision on Mr Anwar’s appeal is expected tomorrow, he added.—Correspondent