KARACHI, Aug 21: A division bench of the Sindh High Court deferred on Wednesday the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Benazir Bhutto, the PPP chairperson, challenging her disqualification from filing nomination papers for contesting the general elections, for a day.
The bench comprised Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice S. Ali Aslam Jafri.
When the matter came up for hearing, Amir Hani Muslim, deputy attorney- general, appearing for the federation, submitted that attorney-general Makhdoom Ali Khan would himself appear in the case.
He said the AG was busy in a cabinet meeting at Islamabad today and would attend the court on Thursday.
Barrister Kamal Azfar appearing for petitioner Ms Bhutto, submitted that “it is history in the making, and it is a race against time.” Aug 24 was the last date for submission of nomination papers for which returning officers had been appointed.
The court then put off the hearing to Thursday morning.
AHTP PLEA: A division bench of the Sindh High Court allowed on Wednesday the Awami Himayat Tehrik Pakistan (AHTP) to file nomination papers of its candidates for the general elections, but deferred the issue of allotment of symbol to the party to Sept 5.
The bench comprised Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice S. Ali Aslam.
The order came during the hearing of an appeal preferred by AHTP chairman Moulvi Iqbal Haider.
Earlier, Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) for Karachi Saifur Rahman appeared for the Chief Election Commissioner in the court along with DAG Barrister Khursheed Hashmi. The DEC submitted a letter by the CEC which said the registration papers of the AHTP had been returned as they were not in conformity with the rule 10 of the Political Parties Registration Ordinance.
Perusing the letter, the court held that “the reply is not satisfactory.” The DAG sought time submitting that he needed time to seek instructions.—APP
