IHC adjourns hearing on tribunal change pleas

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing on petitions challenging the transfer of election tribunal cases concerning three constituencies in the federal capital on Wednesday.Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over the petitions against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to change the tribunal. During the hearing, the lawyers for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) candidates who were successful in the elections completed their arguments.The lawyer argued that there was no dishonesty in the ECP’s decision to change the election tribunal, asserting that the action was legally justified and aimed at ensuring justice and impartiality. Waqas Mir, the lawyer representing the three successful PMLN candidates from Islamabad, contended that the primary issue to address was the admissibility of the election petitions. He noted that the election tribunal had initially issued notices to the successful candidates, seeking Form 45 and a written reply. In subsequent orders, the tribunal also issued notices to the returning officers and instructed them to issue warrants for non-appearance.Given these circumstances, a transfer request was made to the ECP. The court has adjourned further proceedings of the case until Thursday.