TOBA TEK SINGH, March 24: Former MNA and PML-N central executive committee member Hamza has sent an application to the chief election commissioner requesting expeditious hearing of his election petition filed against ruling party MNA Amjad Warraich.

At a press conference here on Friday, he said the first hearing of his petition was made by a Lahore election tribunal comprising Justice Zahid Husain on Jan 14, 2003. When the petitioner concluded his evidence, the judge refused to continue the proceedings and referred the case to the CEC.

Then the case was fixed before new tribunal comprising Justice Jamshed Ali Shah where the evidence of respondent Amjad Warraich was completed on Sept 22, 2004, but during the hearing the judge retired.

Then the case was fixed before Justice Rustam Ali Malik, but after just two hearings, he also refused to hear the case and referred it to the CEC. It was then referred to fourth judge Justice Mian Hamid Farooq and both the parties concluded arguments on March 13, 2006, and March 25 was fixed as the date for announcement of judgment, but now the judge has expressed his inability to proceed with the case, and it has again been referred to the CEC.

Mr Hamza said despite a lapse of nearly three years and appearing on 56 dates before four judges, a simple case of fake BA degree had not been decided owing to delaying tactics and influence of MNA Amjad Warraich.

He said he was forced to bring the case to the notice of the CEC with a request for expeditious hearing and its early disposal.