The Islamabad High Court has issued notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan on a petition which challenged the judicial powers of the commission, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The high court also issued notice to the attorney general of Pakistan in this regard.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Tuesday heard a petition filed by Advocate Daniyal Khokhar through PTI leader and senior lawyer Babar Awan on May 8. The petition challenged sections 4, 9 and 10 of the Election Act, 2017, seeking the annulment of judicial powers entrusted to the commission.

Babar Awan appeared before the court.

During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that the Supreme Court had given its clear observation in this regard in its recent judgement.

CJ Minallah said that the two-judge bench of the apex court stated that the Election Commission was not a court but it might use its powers.

After issuing notices to the ECP and attorney general, the chief justice adjourned the hearing of the case for two weeks.

The petition stated that judicial powers could not be granted to the ECP as there were five constitutional courts, including the Supreme Court, in the country, and no other state institution could be equivalent to them.

It also called for abolishing provisions which allowed the election commission to punish contempt and issue directions.

Reporter: Ehtisham Kiyani