SC allows Sanaullah Mastikhel to contest elections

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday allowed Sanaullah Mastikhel, an independent candidate to contest the upcoming general election from National Assembly constituency NA-91 Bhakkar.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the appeal of Sanaullah Mastikhel, challenging the verdict of Lahore High Court Multan Bench, rejecting his nomination papers for the upcoming general elections being held on February 8.

During the course of hearing, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa asked the counsel for Sanaullah Mastikhel as to why nomination papers of his client were rejected.

The counsel replied that the Election Tribunal had accepted the papers, but the High Court rejected them adding that the learned high court neither did issue a notice nor did hear their stance and gave a unilateral decision.

Counsel for the opposite side told the court that Sanaullah Mastikhlel was a proclaimed offender. At this, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa asked the counsel as to what crime Mastikhel had committed and the court should be given details.

“Is it a case of terrorism or kidnapping for ransom,” the Chief Justice asked adding if he was a dangerous man they would not allow him to contest the elections.

Justice Musarat Hilali observed that there was a case of tire burning on Mastikhel and questioned as to why the learned high court gave the decision in haste, annulling the verdict of the tribunal.

Chief Justice observed that the high court fixed the case in a day and decided it the next day.

The petitioner’s counsel told the court that Sanaullah Mastikhel had surrendered before the court and was on bail.

\The counsel further submitted that Sanaullah Mastikhel was accused of violating Section 144.

The court then asked the lawyer of the opposite side whether it was true that the High Court decided the matter without issuing a notice.

The counsel for opposite side replied in affirmative. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa then inquired as to what was the position of printing of ballot papers.

The chief justice asked the Election Commission officials whether the ballot papers had been printed. The Election Commission officials said that the ballot papers were ready for printing.

Counsel for Sanaullah Mastikhel informed the court that his client’s name was included in the initial list and the election symbol had also been allotted to him.

Meanwhile, the court set aside the verdict of high court that had rejected the nomination papers of Mastikhel. The court allowed Sanaullah Mastikhel to contest the upcoming general elections.

The court directed the Election Commission to include the name of Sanaullah Mastikhel in the ballot papers.