ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday suspended all amendments in sections of the Election Act 2017 pertaining to the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat oath till further orders.
A single bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was hearing a petition challenging the controversial amendments in Khatm-e-Nabuwwat clause.
Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat supporter Allah Wasaya filed the petition against a controversial amendment to the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat oath in the law. The petitioner requested the court to order the restoration of the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat oath into its original form.
The bench issued notices to all the respondents to reply to the petition and also suspended the clause 241 of the Election Act 2017-pertaining to Khatm-e-Nabuwwat oath.
The National Assembly had unanimously passed the Election Amendment Bill 2017 on Oct 6, restoring the word “Oath” instead of “Declaration” in the nomination paper about the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (finality of prophethood).
The change of words in Form-A from “I solemnly swear” to “I believe” in a clause relating to a candidate’s belief in the finality of the prophethood triggered a widespread outrage, pressing the government to amend the law and restore it to its original text.
The controversial bill was passed by the national assembly on Oct 03 which was being deemed a part of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s endeavors to pave the way for the reinstatement of deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as president of the party.
