By Imtiaz Hussain
KHAIRPUR: Shah Abdul Latif University SALU, Khairpur, has won its first Provincial Moot Court Competition, with the University of Sindh finishing as runner-up.
The two-day competition brought together more than 18 teams from universities across Sindh, giving aspiring lawyers an opportunity to demonstrate their legal research, advocacy, critical thinking and courtroom skills.
District and Sessions Judge Khairpur Mano Mal attended the closing ceremony as chief guest. Senior Civil Judge Waqar Junejo and Additional Advocate General Sindh Liaquat Ali Shar were the guests of honor.
The competition was organized by M.H. Larik and Associates in collaboration with SALU’s Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto School of Law. Participating teams argued a fictional case, Arslan Khan versus The State, before panels of legal professionals.
Addressing the ceremony, Judge Mano Mal praised Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Yousuf Khushk and his team for organizing what he described as a landmark provincial competition.
He said moot courts helped bridge the gap between theoretical legal education and practical courtroom experience. He urged students to focus on hard work, discipline and respect for elders, saying the skills they developed during their studies would benefit them throughout their professional careers.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Yousuf Khushk praised the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto School of Law, Dean Faculty of Law Abdul Rehman Bhatti and M.H. Larik and Associates, particularly Senior Advocate Manzoor Hussain Larik, for their support in organising the competition.
Khushk said moot court competitions strengthened legal research, advocacy, critical thinking, confidence and professional courtroom skills. “A louder voice does not make an argument stronger; a strong argument speaks for itself,” he said.
He urged future lawyers to uphold integrity, professionalism and justice, describing the Bench and Bar as two essential pillars of a strong justice system.
Following the success of the competition, Khushk directed the relevant department to make the provincial moot court an annual event at SALU, allowing students to continually develop their skills and prepare for national and international competitions.
Senior Advocate Manzoor Hussain Larik welcomed the successful conclusion of the event and acknowledged the university’s support in turning the initiative into a province-wide academic competition.
Director of the SZAB School of Law Javed Hussain Bhayo said the event went beyond an academic exercise by giving students practical experience in advocacy, research, argumentation and courtroom proceedings.
Dr Ali Raza Lashari delivered the welcome address, while Prof Dr Taj Muhammad Lashari presented the vote of thanks.
Certificates and shields were distributed among participants in recognition of their performance. SALU was then announced as the champion, while the University of Sindh secured the runner-up position.
Judge Mano Mal and Dr Khushk jointly presented the championship and runner-up shields to the two teams amid applause from participants and guests.
The ceremony concluded with group photographs of the winning teams, participants, guests, organisers and faculty members.
