VEHARI, Jan 16: The Punjab Bar Council on Wednesday annulled the District Bar Association elections and appointed Taj Muhammad Bhatti as acting president.

The action was taken on the plea of losing candidate A. D. Kaleem, advocate.

Mr Kaleem claimed that he and his rival candidate Nazar Husain Bhatti polled equal number of votes, 137, in the elections held on Jan 12. Election Commission chairman Mian Nizam Din Qureshi, during recounting of votes, considered two rejected votees of Mr Bhatti and declared him winner.

The Punjab Bar Council will scrutinize the election record and give its final verdict on Jan 21.

COLD WAVE: Vehari district and its adjoining areas are in the grip of a severe cold wave since Tuesday morning.

Due to cold, attendance in schools and government offices remained thin. A few people dared to go to bazaars. Bus and wagon stops gave a deserted look.

According to a weather expert, the cold wave would continue for a few days.