By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has assured the legal fraternity of continued government support, including the provision of grants for bar associations, while paying tribute to lawyers for what he described as their historic and ongoing role in safeguarding democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law.
The assurance came during a meeting at the Governor House in Peshawar, where a delegation of lawyers led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council member Sardar Hashmat Nawaz Khan Sadozai Advocate called on the governor.
The delegation included Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) district general secretary Malik Abid Awan Advocate, President Daraban Bar Council Gul Rehman Khan Advocate, President Kalachi Bar Association Yasar Khan Gandapur, and divisional general secretary of the Peoples Lawyers Forum Sardar Hibatullah Khan Gandapur.
PPP parliamentary leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Ahmad Karim Kundi and Chairman Hilal-e-Ahmar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Farzand Ali Wazir were also present during the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kundi paid rich tribute to the lawyers’ community for what he termed their long and principled struggle for democratic governance in Pakistan.
Kundi said lawyers had played a decisive role in difficult periods of the country’s history, standing at the forefront of movements for constitutional supremacy and the rule of law. “The sacrifices rendered by lawyers for the protection of democratic values are immense and can never be forgotten,” the governor said, adding that the legal fraternity had consistently acted as a bulwark against authoritarianism and constitutional violations.
Governor Kundi assured the delegation of his full cooperation in facilitating grants for the Paroa, Paharpur and Tank bar associations. He said all possible steps would be taken to address the problems being faced by lawyers across the province, stressing that the welfare of the legal community was a priority for the government. Party-related matters were also discussed during the meeting.
Members of the delegation expressed their gratitude to the governor for the release of funds for the Dera Ismail Khan, Daraban and Kalachi bar associations. They said such financial support was essential for improving facilities and welfare initiatives for lawyers, particularly in less-developed areas.
The delegation voiced the hope that government assistance for bar associations and welfare projects for the legal community would continue in the future, enabling lawyers to perform their professional duties more effectively while maintaining their role as defenders of democratic norms and constitutional rights.
