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ISLAMABAD, Nov 07 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday reserved its decision on a petition to stay the by-elections in Punjab Assembly constituency PP-73 Sargodha. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard the case and reserved the decision after the arguments of the parties were completed. The petition was filed by the head of Pasban-e-Watan Pakistan Party, Sheikh Mukhtar.
The petitioner’s lawyer took the stand that his client wanted to participate in the by-elections, but the Election Commission did not receive his nomination papers. The lawyer said that the by-elections were postponed due to floods in September, but when the new schedule was issued, he was not allowed to submit nomination papers again.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro inquired why the PP-73 seat fell vacant? To which the Election Commission’s lawyer said that PTI member from this constituency, Ansar Iqbal Haral, was convicted in the May 9 incident case, as a result of which he was disqualified. The Election Commission’s lawyer further said that the schedule for the by-election has been issued, election symbols have been allotted and ballot papers have been printed. He took the stand that the cost of ballot papers is high while the petitioner’s political party was registered on October 20, if it had been registered by October 13, it could have participated in the elections.
The Election Commission’s lawyer said that it is not appropriate to stop the by-election now because of one individual, he can contest the elections next time. On this occasion, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro remarked that explain how the petitioner’s filing of nomination papers will derail democracy? The court reserved the verdict after hearing all the arguments.