LAHORE: A division bench of the Lahore High Court Wednesday again issued notice to attorney general of Pakistan for assistance on petitions challenging non-party based local government elections in Punjab.
The bench also directed Punjab government and other respondents to file reply in the matter till October 3.
The bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial was hearing the petitions filed by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and others challenging various sections of Punjab Local Government Act-2013.
As the proceedings started, PPP's counsel Sardar Latif Khosa said that present petition was different then the matter being heard by the Supreme Court regarding Local government elections. He said that the provision of non-party elections was challenged through the present petition besides other sections of Punjab local Government Act-2013. Therefore, the court had the authority to decide it as the issue was different then the matter heard by the Supreme Court, he contended.
PTI's counsel contended that the local councils were kept under subservience of Punjab government through the act which was against the constitution.
A provincial law officer sought time to file reply on the petitions.
The bench was informed that no federal law officer appeared despite issuance of notices, on last hearing.
The bench adjourning the matter till October 3 directed Punjab government and other respondents to file reply. The bench again issued notices to attorney general for assistance in the matter.
The PPP,PTI and others through their petitions contended the sections 1(3), 13, 14, 15, 17, 92(3), 95(2), 105(4), 110,111, 112, 113, 114,122, 123 and 125 of Punjab Local Government Act-2013 were in violation of the section 9, 10A, 17, 19(a), 32 and 140 A of the constitution. They pleaded the court to declare the sections as ultra vires of the constitution.
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