LAHORE, Oct 24: Supreme Court Bar Association President Yasin Azad has said fair and free elections are the only way to peace and prosperity in the country.

Speaking at the bar’s annual general meeting at the Lahore registry on Wednesday, he said the government had no option but to hold fair elections in the country. He said to elect rulers was the right of people which could not be usurped.

Mr Azad said during his tenure, he completely supported the institution of judiciary and also criticised it on some issues when felt required.

He said: “Individuals come and go, but the institutions stay which should be strengthened.” He said besides judiciary, independence of the parliament was also vital for a strong democratic system. The bar president also stressed the need for appointing judges of superior courts on merit. He said the lawyers belonging to particular groups should not be elevated to the bench but eligibility and skills should be the criteria to become a judge.

He said the bar did not stick to lawyers’ welfare projects only but also played its role in national issues. He pointed out that during the last year, the bar organised international conferences, seminars and debates on many national level issues, including Balochistan affairs.

Mr Azad also thanked the chief justice of Pakistan and federal and Punjab governments for supporting the bar in different projects for the welfare of legal fraternity.

At the meeting, the president got approved the annual budget of the bar from the general house and decisions of the incumbent cabinet.

SCBA Secretary Aslam Zar and other officer bearers also spoke on the occasion.

President of the Indian Supreme Court Bar Association Pravin H. Parekh and other members of an Indian delegation also attended the meeting.