Humayun Khan
PESHAWAR: A divisional bench of Peshawar High Court comprised of Justice SM Attique Shah and Justice Syed Arshad Ali issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding a petition filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) against the allocation of a minority seat to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUIF) in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly while directed for submission of reply, on Thursday.
Barrister Saqib Raza, argued that the ECP had announced the name of Gorpal Singh for the minority seat on March 26, despite the fact that the PML-N was entitled to 7 seats, but was given only 6.
The ECP’s decision was in violation of the Constitution, Election Act, and rules. The lawyer requested the court to declare the ECP’s notification null and void and restrain the Speaker of the Assembly from administering the oath to Gorpal Singh until a final decision is made on the petition.
Moreover, Barrister Kamran Murtaza appeared on behalf of JUIF nominated candidate Gorpal Singh. The court has issued a notice to the ECP and adjourned the hearing until 8th May.
