LB polls: SC holds ECP responsible for delay

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Reserving it judgment in a petition on Friday, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry termed Election Commission of Pakistan a dysfunctional body which, according to him, is responsible for delay in local bodies’ elections.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry-led bench that also comprised Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Pervaz has been hearing a petition filed by a prominent lawyer Abid Hasan Minto on behalf of Workers Party. The petitioner has sought a significant reduction in expenses during electioneering by political parties.

During the hearing, the bench expressed dismay over the absence of ECP representative Sher Afghan.

The Chief Justice observed that although the names of more than 30 million forged votes were deleted from the rolls, the ECP was not able to finalize the voter lists.

Petition on dual-nationality holders;

While hearing the case relating to dual-nationality holder parliamentarians, the bench directed deputy attorney general Shafi Muhmmad Dilzai to submit replies of four parliamentarians - federal interior minister Rehman Malik, MNA Farah Naz Asphani, Iftikhar Nazir and Zahid Iqbal - during next date of hearing.

At the outset of hearing, the deputy attorney general apprised the bench that Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had sought time to submit a reply in the case.

The petitioner, Mehmood Naqvi, appeared before the bench in person and said that more than 24 parliamentarians hold dual-nationality. The deputy attorney general, however, replied dual nationality holders had become ineligible to become parliamentarian under Article 63.

The bench sought replies from Farah Naz Asphani, Rehman Malik, Iftikhar Nazir and Zahid Iqbal after declaring them respondents in the case.

The petition filed by Mahmood Akhtar has sought disqualification of those lawmakers who have been holding dual-nationality.

The hearing was adjourned till May 8.