RAWALPINDI, July 4: Former PPP and PML-N councillors have challenged the Punjab government’s decision of bifurcating Rawalpindi into Rawal and Potohar towns in the Lahore High Court (Rawlapindi Bench). In a writ petition, the ex-local representatives, including Babu Muhammad Riaz, Nasir Mir and others have prayed the apex court to direct the election commission to stay in forthcoming polls in their union councils till the final decision of the court. These councillors belong to union councils 1 and 2 (Dhoke Ratta Amral). Shah Khawar Advocate is pleading their case.

The petitioners have argued that the division of Rawalpindi into two towns is based on mala fide intentions, aimed at getting political mileage over the opponents of the ruling party- supported candidates.

Union councils 1,2,3 and 46 have been divided in the name of Rawal and Potohar thereby disturbing the natural geographical contiguity of these areas, they pleaded. As such, populated and precious commercial areas of the city have been separated and conjoined with rural areas. In between them lie several miles areas of cantonment board, they complained.

Quoting the notification issued under article 1(9) of the Local Government Ordinance, the former nazims said it had been clearly defined that, while delineating new constituencies or towns, the boundaries of union councils should in every respect be contiguous to each other.

According to elections rules, the residents and representatives of the affected areas should be heard and their objections/grievances resolved before drawing new constituencies.