Punjab awards over Rs67m grant to 10 bar associations

LAHORE:The Punjab government has continued its initiative of providing financial support to bar associations across the province.

Around Rs67.5 million were awarded to 10 bar associations, with divisional bars receiving Rs10 million each, district bars receiving Rs5 million each, and tehsil bars receiving Rs2.5 million each.

At the invitation of Provincial Minister for Law, Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth, representatives of the legal community gathered in Lahore, where bar presidents and general secretaries were presented with grant cheques in the presence of local MPAs.

The event highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening the legal infrastructure throughout Punjab. Among the recipients, Talagang Bar Association President Aamir Mehmood Niazi received a cheque of Rs5 million in the presence of MPA Shehryar Ahmad. Dera Ghazi Khan Bar Association President Abdul Ghani was awarded Rs10 million with MPAs Usman Laghari and Ahmad Khan Laghari in attendance. Gujrat Bar Association’s General Secretary Ishtiaq Warraich received Rs10 million, in the presence of Provincial Minister for Industries, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain.

In addition, Shorkot Bar Association President Akhtar Jehaniyan was given Rs2.5 million in the presence of MPAs Nawab Tahir Abbas and Ghazanfar Abbas Qureshi. Sahiwal Bar Association President Malik Saeed Ahmad received Rs10 million, witnessed by MPAs Malik Arshad and Malik Qasim Nadeem. Murree Bar President Nazir Abbasi was granted Rs5 million, and Khanewal Bar President Chaudhry Iftikhar received Rs5 million in the presence of MPA Rana Saleem.

Further, Rawalpindi Bar President Sardar Manzar Bashir received Rs10 million, while Rajanpur Bar President Nadeem Saqib was awarded Rs5 million in the presence of MPA Sardar Owais Dreshak. Lastly, Lodhran Bar President Malik Allah Nawaz received a grant cheque of Rs5 million.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister for Law Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth said that this marks a historic step in supporting the legal community in Punjab. For the first time, grants are being provided not only to divisional and district bars but also to tehsil bars. He announced that construction of female bar rooms will begin soon, and an internship programme for young lawyers is also being planned.

The minister reaffirmed the chief minister’s commitment to resolving the issues faced by lawyers. MPAs and bar leaders expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Provincial Law Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bharth for ensuring fair and equal distribution of grants to bar associations across the province. Punjab Law Secretary Asif Bilal Lodhi and other senior officials were also present at the ceremony.