RO issues notices to PTI chief Imran Khan and NA Speaker Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq for record inspection
The Lahore High Court (LHC) Tuesday reserved its verdict on a petition challenging an election tribunal’s proceedings on rigging allegations in NA-122, while the returning officer of the constituency has summoned both Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for record inspection.
Appearing in court on Tuesday, the counsel for Sadiq contested that all the petitions filed by the PTI chief against his client were incomplete as necessary documents were missing, adding that the eligibility and candidacy of a person cannot be challenged in court with incomplete documents. He urged the court to stop the tribunal from holding proceedings on such applications against his client.
However, the counsel for PTI chief argued that as per the order of a full bench of the LHC, the court cannot interfere into the proceedings of the tribunal. He prayed the court to dismiss the petition and declare its earlier stay order null and void, so the tribunal can continue its proceedings.
After hearing both sides, Justice Ijazul Ahsan of the LHC reserved his verdict.
IMRAN, SADIQ CALLED FOR RECORD INSPECTION:
Meanwhile, the returning officer assigned to NA-122 issued notices to Khan and Sadiq to appear on November 20 for inspecting electoral record NA-122.
Previously, RO Shahida Saeed had delayed the inspection of the record since complete record of the constituency was unavailable because the records of NA-122 and its respective provincial assembly constituencies, PP-147 and PP-148, were mixed in bags.
Subsequently, permission was sought from Punjab Election Commission for separation of the record.
Once permission is granted, treasury department will separate record of provincial assembly seats from the record of NA-122 under the supervision of the RO. These records will then be presented for the candidate’s inspection.
