The Lahore High Court on Friday issued notices to the Punjab Assembly secretary, additional advocate general, and secretary election commission summing them on Monday after taking up the petition filed by Hamza Shehbaz for convening the Punjab Assembly session, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Earlier, the LHC Registrar rejected the petition after raising objection over it. The Registrar said any plea relating to assembly proceedings could not be declared maintainable. 

But LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Amir Bhatti removed the objection and decided to hear the case today (Friday).

During the hearing, the judge asked the Punjab Assembly secretary to appear before the court on Monday. He also sought replies from all the parties which were put on notices.  

The LHC CJ was irked by the absence of Punjab advocate general and asked why he did not appear before the court. The court was told that the advocate general had gone to Islamabad, that’s why he could not attend the hearing. 

The judge also summoned additional advocate general and ECP secretary with assembly record. 

Hamza’s lawyer Azam Nazir Tarar pleaded with the court to hear the case and issue an order in this regard today citing the example of Supreme Court which heard the case even on Sunday. He argued that the office of chief minister would not remain vacant even for a single day. 

But Chief Justice Bhatti said that it was constitutional matter ‘we have to go along the system’. 

After saying this, the chief justice adjourned the hearing till Monday. 

Earlier, the PML-N submitted its petition in the Lahore High Court Friday morning seeking court order for holding election for chief minister in Punjab Assembly.

The petition was filed by Ataullah Tarar and Azam Nazir Tarar on behalf of PML-N nominee for CM slot, Hamza Shehbaz. The court was prayed to fix the case for hearing today.

Hamza has made Punjab Assembly speaker, deputy speaker and IG police respondents in his petition.

The petition says that the office of the biggest province Punjab’s chief minister remains vacant since April 1. The provincial assembly secretary and administrative officers are acting upon the illegal orders of Speaker Pervaiz Elahi.

The election for chief minister has been delayed without any reason. And Hamza is the affected party due to delay in the election, the plea states.

It says under Article 130, the session of Punjab Assembly cannot be postponed. The respondents have failed to perform their duties.

Punjab IG police and chief secretary have failed to let the MPAs enter the provincial assembly.

The petition pleads with the court to order for convening the assembly session and holding immediate election for the chief minister.

The petition further requests the court to declare the step of sealing Punjab Assembly premises illegal.

Reporter Malik Ashraf