ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on Sunday unanimously elected Ali Ahmad Kurd, a member from Quetta, as council’s new vice-chairman and adopted three resolutions condemning military action in Balochistan, US air strikes in Bajaur Agency and construction of Kalabagh Dam without consensus.

Presided over by Attorney General Makhdoom Ali Khan, who is also the chairman of the council, the 156th meeting of PBC (first meeting of the newly-elected council) was held here at the office of the council in the Supreme Court building.

The chairman requested the new vice-chairman to take over the chair and then left the meeting. Rest of the proceeding was conducted under the chairmanship of the newly-elected vice- chairman.

On the proposal of Qazi Mohammad Anwar, seconded by Ali Ahmad Kurd, the council condemned military action in Kohlu and Dera Bugti (Balochistan) through a resolution and affirmed its complete belief in support of provincial autonomy under the Constitution.

The resolution stated that no military action or solution could defeat the legitimate rights and aspirations of the people of Balochistan and sought withdrawal of military personnel from Kohlu and other areas of Balochistan. The council also condoled the deaths of innocent people and expressed its solidarity with bereaved families.

Through another resolution, the council condemned the wanton attack of US forces in Bajaur Agency, resulting in casualties and injuries to innocent Pakistanis, including women and children.

Such an unfortunate incident is a result of a policy of subjugation and capitulation by military rulers before foreign masters and protection of foreign interests, the resolution said, while expressing solidarity with bereaved families.

The meeting also opposed the construction of Kalabagh Dam without evolving consensus among all the federating units. The construction of the dam in absence of such a consensus would be against the interest and solidarity of Pakistan, the third resolution said.

The council also constituted different standing committees under the rules. Syed Qalb-i-Hassan was made chairman of its executive committee that would comprise Ali Ahmad Kurd, Mohammad Kazim Khan, Abdul Rahim Kazi, Rasheed A. Razvi, Qazi Mohammad Anwar and Hamid Khan as members.

Likewise, Senior Advocate Hamid Khan will be the chairman of the legal education committee that will consist of Chaudhry Mohammad Ashraf Wahlah, Rasheed A. Razvi, Abdul Rahim Kazi, Mohammad Yousuf Leghari, Syed Qalb-i-Hassan and Haji Syed Rahman.

The finance committee will consist of Mohammad Yousuf Leghari (chairman), Chaudhry Mohammad Ashraf Wahlah, Mohammad Kazim Khan, Abdul Rahim Kazi, Imdad A. Awan and Qazi Mohammad Anwar.