2018 elections dispute: SC issues notice to Qasim Suri again

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday again issued notice to former deputy speaker National Assembly Qasim Suri in an election dispute, related to General Election 2018.

A three-member apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard an appeal of Qasim Suri against a decision of an election tribunal that annulled his victory from NA-265 constituency in the 2018 general election and had ordered re-election for the said constituency.

On Sept 27, 2019, the election tribunal Quetta had declared election of the then NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri from NA-265 (Quetta-II) as null and void and ordered a re-election in the constituency. The court staff told the Supreme Court that according to Qasim Suri’s brother, he was absconding, a notice was sent to Qasim Suri’s address, which his brother received and told the court staff that Qasim Suri was absconding.

CJP Faez Isa said let notice be issued to Qasim Suri. He asked Naeem Bukhari, counsel for Suri, whether he had any objection over issuance of a notice to his client again.

Naeem Bukhari replied that he had no objection.

Meanwhile, the court again issued notice to Qasim Suri for non-appearance and adjourned the hearing for date-in-office (an indefinite period of time).

The court, on March 20, had issued notice to Qasim Suri after the registrar office submitted its report regarding the delay in fixation of his appeal. During the course of hearing, the chief justice had asked whether Qasim Suri was present in the courtroom. Naeem Bukhari replied in negative, saying that despite repeated attempts, he could not be contacted.