IHC reserves verdict on plea urging court to halt PP-73 by-election

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict in a petition that seeks to halt the by-election in Punjab Assembly Constituency PP-73, Sargodha, due to the failure to submit nomination papers.

A single bench of Justice Khadim Hussain Somro, on Friday, reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides on the petition filed by Sheikh Mukhtar, head of Pasban-e-Watan Pakistan Party.

In his petition, the petitioner prayed to the court to issue a writ of mandamus directing the Respondents, particularly Respondent No.1 (Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to forthwith decide the Petitioner’s application dated 21st October, 2025, and reschedule the election programme for Constituency PP-73 Sargodha-III under Section 58 of the Elections Act to allow the petitioner reasonable time to file nomination papers and participate in the by-election.

He also requested to declare the current election schedule (as per Notification dated 13th October, 2025) ultra vires to the extent it prevents the Petitioner’s participation, being violative of Articles 4, 10A, 17(2), and 25 of the Constitution and Sections 8 and 58 of the Elections Act.

Mukhtar further requested the court to restrain the respondents from proceeding with the by-election until the petitioner’s rights are safeguarded.

Counsel for the petitioner submitted that first notification of by-election was called upon the electors of the constituency PP-73 Sargodha-III, however, due to flood in the Province of Punjab, election schedule was cancelled and new notification was issued on 13.10.2025, but the same has not been issued afresh and in continuation of the previous notification which is in gross violation of Section 57 as well as 58 of the Election Act, 2017.

He also submitted that under Article 218 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, axiomatically laid down that the ECP is required to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, and fairly in accordance with law, but in the instant case, no notification has been issued in accordance with the Election Act.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025