The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday set aside proceedings on a contempt application filed by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aleem Khan before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Justice Ayesha A Malik announced the short order while allowing a petition by Aleem Khan challenging the ECP proceeding on the contempt application. The court had reserved the decision after hearing detailed arguments of all parties concerned and it was announced in the open court.
Earlier, petitioner’s counsel Anis Hashmi submitted that his client had approached the ECP for directions to declare the NA-122 by-polls null and void, but his petition was dismissed and the ECP observed that the petitioner (Aleem Khan) had attached 150 fake affidavits along with the petition.
He submitted that in the backdrop of the observation, the NA speaker filed an application with the commission for action against his client under the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2004, for submitting fake affidavits.
He said that the commission did not decide the matter on merit and its observation was not in accordance with the law, as affidavits were not got verified.
He pleaded with the court to set aside the commission proceedings on the contempt plea against his client.
However, Ayaz Sadiq’s counsel opposed the request, submitting that ECP had the authority to take action against the petitioner.
A deputy attorney general also opposed Aleem Khan’s petition, saying that submitting a fake affidavit before any court of law amounted to committing the contempt of court. He said that the matter did not fall in the jurisdiction of the high court and the ECP was the appropriate forum to take up the matter.
