16 January 2005	Sunday	05 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: Chief Election Commissioner Irshad Hasan Khan on Saturday, the last day of his three-year tenure, appointed an appellate tribunal for deciding appeals of candidates against their nomination papers for by-elections in NA-127, Lahore.

The National Assembly seat fell vacant after Maulana Tahirul Qadri resigned in protest against the passage of the dual office bill by the two houses of the Parliament. The appellate tribunal would comprise Justice Mian Hamid Farooq and Justice Sheikh Abdul Rashid, judges of the Lahore High Court.

Meanwhile, a ceremony was held in Lahore to bid farewell to Irshad Hasan Khan. It was attended by members of the Election Commission, including its secretary, Kanwar Dilshad, and other senior officers.

Mr Dilshad, in his speech, appreciated the role of the chief election commissioner and his dedication in establishing the Federal Election Academy, which was set up to ensure continuous re-orientation of the officers and staff of the EC.