IHC reserves verdict on poll petition

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved judgment on a petition seeking postponement of the general elections.

The petition seeking the court order for postponement of the general elections till the scrutiny of fake National Identity Cards (NIC) of Afghan refugees came up for hearing before IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Thursday. 

Petitioner Aftab Alam appeared in the court along with his counsel Malik Akhtar Abbas who argued that the process of return of Afghan refugees to their homeland was underway. Disclosure has been made that Afghan refugees have got fake identity cards and their name have been included in voter lists. He said questions would be raised on the general elections due to fake identity cards of Afghan refugees. The use of Pakistani passport by Afghan refugees is a security threat. Therefore the court is requested to order postponement of the general elections till the scrutiny of identity cards of Afghan refugees.

Justice Farooq remarked that the Election Commission of Pakistan has issued the election schedule. How can the court now issue an order for postponement of the general election? Later, the court reserved judgment on the petition.