IHC rejects PM’s plea to bar ECP from taking action against him

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday rejected the petition, seeking court order to bar the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from taking an action against Prime Minister Imran Khan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

During the hearing of the petition, Barrister Ali Zafar, counsel for the prime minister, prayed to the court to bar the ECP from acting against his client until the next hearing. 

Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that the court could not grant ‘stay’ in the case. “Seeing PM Imran’s conduct, the IHC cannot give such an order to the election commission,” he said, and added that the premier ought to have appeared in the ECP. 

“Why don’t you appear in the ECP and raise the issues there?” he asked. 

Barrister Ali Zafar replied that the election commission had already given an order against the ordinance under review.

Justice Farooq went on to say that it was unfortunate that the government had started relying on ordinances for the legislation. 

He further said that the constitution granted to the ECP the power to hold free, fair and transparent elections. “Can the government strip the election commission of this power, guaranteed to it under the constitution, through an ordinance,” he questioned.  

Earlier, Muhammad Zubair Sarfaraz, whom PM Imran had authorized, removed the Registrar Office’s objections through his biometric. 

The court then adjourned hearing of the case until March 28, 2022.

Reporter: Ihtesham Kiani