09 February 2004	Monday	17 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition filed by the Majlis-i-Tahafuz Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, seeking a direction to the Election Commission of Pakistan to require Ahmedis to submit an affidavit while applying for registration in electoral rolls.

Justice Maulvi Anwarul Haq, after hearing Babar Awan and Deputy Attorney-General Tariq Chaudhry on Friday, had reserved the order. On Saturday, both the parties learnt that Justice Maulvi Anwarul Haq had dismissed the petition after a statement by the government that the CEC had already issued a notification, requiring Ahmedis to show their religious identity at the time of enrolling as voters.

The petitioner had asked the ECP to give effect to 2nd Amendment made in the Conduct of General Elections Order 2002 by making the Halfnama as part of the electoral rolls before their printing and distribution.