Lahore:
On Wednesday, the High Court of Lahore (LHC) summoned the Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP) on Wednesday on the subject of the petitions contesting the issuance of disqualification notifications following convictions.
According to Express News, judge Khalid Ishaq heard the petitions deposited by Muhammad Ahmad Chattha and Muhammad Ahmad Khan Bachhar, represented by lawyer Shehzad Shaukat.
Last month, Chattha and Bachhar were sentenced in a case linked to the riots on May 9, then disqualified by the electoral supervisor.
During the procedure on Wednesday, lawyer Arshad Nazir Mirza appeared on behalf of the member of the Provincial Assembly Afzal Sahi.
Lawyer Shaukat argued that the ECP had issued disqualification notification without hearing the respondents, while in virtue of article 63-A of the Constitution, a decision on disqualification can only be taken after hearing the candidate.
He argued that the court had condemned them, but the president of the assembly did not receive a reference or transferred to the ECP.
He stressed that the court’s decision was announced on July 31, but disqualification was informed on August 5. “Will a Verdict from the Court Antiterroist now be treated as a judgment of the Supreme Court?” He asked.
The court asked whether the petitioners would remain members of the provincial assembly if their conviction was suspended, to which the lawyer responded in the affirmative.
