IHC suspends ECP decision to remove Sattar as convener of MQM-P

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Thursday restored Farooq Sattar as the convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan and MQM leaders Kanwar Naveed Jameel and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

The bench comprises of Justice Amir Farooq heard the petition filed by Sattar against the ECP decision of removing him and declaring the intra party elections as void. Babar Sattar advocate represented Farooq Sattar in the case.

Babar Sattar, argued in the hearing that ECP does not have the jurisdiction to interfere in a political party’s internal matters and the ECP decision fails to meet the legal requirements. He pleaded to the court to declare the ECP decision as null and void and untill the bench decides the matter a stay order be issued over the ECP decision. He said that since MQM-P is registered under Farooq’s name, the ECP does not have the authority to hear cases by another person who claims to be party convener.

The bench issued notices to the ECP, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Kanwar Naveed Jameel and ordered them to submit their response by April 11.

The ECP had removed Farooq Sattar from the position of MQM-P convener by accepting the challenge to his election filed by Siddiqui and Jameel.