The Sindh High Court (SHC) has taken a significant step in addressing challenges to election results, disposing of petitions related to over 40 constituencies of the National and Sindh assemblies in Karachi. In a session presided over by a two-judge bench led by SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, the court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to address these petitions by February 22, emphasizing it as the appropriate forum for such matters.
During the proceedings attended by the additional attorney general, representatives from the ECP, and lawyers representing the petitioners, various concerns were raised. Barrister Farogh Naseem, representing MQM-Pakistan, highlighted the rejection of similar petitions by the Lahore High Court. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the timing of notifications, particularly the late-night issuance for the winner of NA-238, an MQM candidate, which was questioned by Chief Justice Abbasi considering the pending petitions.
In response, the ECP assured the court that petitions would be resolved within the stipulated timeframe, referring to the Supreme Court’s directives. The SHC bench emphasized the ECP’s responsibility to handle petitions in accordance with the law and advised candidates to pursue their grievances through the commission.
Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, representing the petitioners, advocated for restraining the ECP from finalizing notifications until the petitions are adjudicated. The court stressed the importance of examining records for any irregularities and rectifying them, urging affected parties to utilize provisions under the Election Act, 2017.
Consequently, the SHC disposed of petitions against election results for various national and provincial constituencies, including cases involving prominent figures like Syed Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. The written judgment reiterated the ECP’s obligation to address complaints promptly and ensure adherence to legal procedures, marking a significant step towards resolving election-related disputes.
