Chief Justice rejects Sheikh Rashid's plea against polls deferment in NA-60

LAHORE: The chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, on Tuesday, dismissed Sheikh Rashid’s petition challenging the elections delay on a National Assembly seat from Rawalpindi (NA-60).

The petition was fixed for hearing at the Lahore registry of the Supreme Court under the supervision of the chief justice. The court rejected Sheikh’s appeal while giving the decision in favor of polls delay in NA-60.

Earlier today, the petition of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief was transferred to the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry.

During a media talk, AML chief had said that he will accept the court’s verdict, “whatever it may be”.

LHC verdict against Sheikh’s appeal

Sheikh approached the top court in the wake of Lahore High Court’s verdict rejecting his appeal of nullifying the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision of deferring election on NA-60.

In his petition, he stated election in NA-60 was postponed after disqualification of PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi who was awarded life in prison after found guilty by a court in the ephedrine case.

He argued the Commission didn’t come up with a plausible reason for putting off the election. Election can only be postponed in case of death of a contestant, he added.

The ECP’s decision is in violation of Election Act 2017 and relevant articles of the Constitution, he stated while pleading that its notification postponing election be declared void.

ECP’s decision to defer NA-60 polls

On Sunday, the ECP issued a notification postponing election in NA-60 after disqualification of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Hanif Abbasi due to his conviction by the Control of Narcotics Substances Court in the ephedrine case.