KARACHI: Expressing serious reservations regarding the recent oath taken by Prof Arham Chohan as the president-elect of the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) Constitution Committee, the association’s President Dr Mahmood Shah said the oath is time-barred.
The PDA had previously announced the forthcoming election in a notification issued on June 26, 2023.
Dr Shah said the establishment of the Constitution Committee strictly adhered to Article XXVI, Section 25 of the PDA Constitution from 2015, which underscores the association's unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles and processes.
Dr Shah drew attention to the longstanding issue of pending amendments to the PDA constitution, saying they are vital for the effective operation of the organization and have remained unresolved since 2018.
He clarified that the PDA (CC) had earlier advised Dr Arham that he must secure an "Interpretation Letter" from the court in his favor. Failure to do so would render him disqualified as a PDA office bearer, in accordance with the arbitration committee's decision, made on March 13, 2029, he warned.
He said this requirement becomes indispensable for Prof. Dr. Arham Chohan if he wants the PDA elections to proceed, as specified in Section XV (v) of the amended PDA constitution.