The Lahore High Court (LHC) disposed of on Tuesday a petition against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, among others, for defying orders to hold elections in Punjab after it was withdrawn by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry.
Notably, LHC's Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabir had directed the ECP to decide within seven days a PTI's application containing grievances against the postings of 22 officers and bureaucrats that could, according to the PTI, affect elections in Punjab.
The ECP had later failed to comply with the orders, prompting Fawad to file a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings as well as directions to quarters concerned to restrain postings of 22 officers in Punjab until the forthcoming general elections in the province are held and formation of the government is completed.
During earlier proceedings, the PTI lawyer had implored the court that they have strong concerns over the said officers and that their appointment should be stopped as these officers may affect the upcoming elections.
Read PTI seeks reference on interim set-ups
On the other hand, the law officer had opposed the arguments of the petitioner's counsel contending the government "assists" the ECP in conducting elections, adding that it is the government that has to maintain law and order.
As proceedings commenced today, Fawad requested the court to allow him to withdraw the petition after which the court disposed of the case.
Petition
The petition had been filed by PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry who had made respondents the ECP through its secretary, the federation of Pakistan through its secretary establishment division, the province of Punjab through its chief secretary, the government of Punjab through its secretary to government and Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab.
Fawad in his petition had contended that his political party is inter-alia aggrieved of the failure of the ECP and other respondents to ensure redressal of the grievance raised by him through his application wherein the ECP, on January 25, was addressed expressing serious concerns about 22 senior government officers (11 PAS/PMS Officers and 11 officers of the Police Service), and also requested that such officers should not be given postings in the province, during the forthcoming elections for the provincial assembly.
Read the full story at the express tribune website.
