LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday issued a writ order regarding the appeal of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the setting up of eight election tribunals by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
In the order, the apex court said that both the ECP and the office of Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) are constitutional institutions that deserve utmost respect. She emphasized that this issue could be resolved through meaningful face-to-face consultation between the two bodies.
The Supreme Court also noted that the Attorney General also agreed on the need for meaningful consultations.
The court decided to keep the case pending without delving into its merits, deeming it appropriate for CJ LHC and ECP to engage in meaningful consultations.
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on July 3 unanimously approved the elevation of Justice Aaliya Neelum to the post of Chief Justice of the LHC.
The court further ordered the stay of the Election Commission’s letter dated April 26, the notification and the decisions of the Lahore High Court dated May 29 and June 12 till further hearing.
She stressed the urgency of holding meaningful consultations once the LHC Chief Justice is sworn in, after which the case will be scheduled for hearing.
On July 4, the apex court stayed the LHC’s decision and the ECP’s notification to set up election tribunals in Punjab.
Besides, the court rejected PTI leader Niazullah Niazi’s objection to the inclusion of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the larger bench in the election tribunal case.
A five-judge larger bench headed by Chief Justice Isa met to hear the Election Commission’s appeal against the Lahore High Court’s decision to set up election tribunals.
However, the hearing began with a heated exchange between CJ Isa and PTI’s lawyer Niazullah Niazi.
Niazi objected to the inclusion of the CJ on the bench, a motion quickly dismissed by Chief Justice Isa.
