PESHAWAR, March 24: Maulana Shamsul Haq of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal was elected president of the Peshawar District Bar Association in the annual elections held on Saturday, defeating a candidate of the Awami National Party.

A tought contest was held between Malgaray Wakeelan, a group of lawyers belonging to the ANP, and an alliance of lawyers affiliated with the Pakistan People’s Party, MMA and Pakistan Muslim League-N.

Except the top slot of president, rest of the key posts were won by the Malgaray Wakeelan. Maulana Shamsul Haq of the alliance bagged 342 votes against 287 received by Naeem Jan Malik of Malgaray Wakeelan (MW).

Shakeel Aman Khan of the MK was elected vice-president. He received 275 votes against 198 votes of Anjum Pervez of the alliance.

Akhter Biland Khan of the MW got 356 votes and was elected general secretary.

His rival Haji Amjid Khan Khalil of the alliance received 173 votes.

Mohammad Imran of the MW was elected joint secretary (first) by receiving 275 votes. Asif Aman Khalil was elected joint secretary (second) by getting 198 votes.

Another candidate of MW, Sahibzada Anwer Ali, was declared finance secretary.

He got 320 votes against 266 votes received by Arbab Yasir Hayat of the alliance.

Izharullah, Ijazur Rehman, Qaiser Khan and Hafeezul Asad were elected against the four posts of cabinet members.

About 645 members cast their votes during the polls.

Senior advocate Mohammad Ismael Khalil was the election commissioner and he was assisted by Farhad Khalil.

The election had assumed importance due to the ongoing judicial crisis in the country and due to same reason the lawyers participated with great enthusiasm.

The candidates had displayed their banners and posters in all the courts here.

The elections of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association would be held on March 30.

The candidates of the same alliance have been contesting against the candidates of MW in that election also.