BAHAWALPUR, Oct 28: After restoration of the election tribunal here by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Abdul Hafiz, a retired district and sessions judge, assumed its charge here on Monday.

The tribunal, at a canal rest house, on its first day, resumed the hearing of 28 pending election petitions. It fixed eight petitions for hearing.

Petitions of Malik Muzzafar Khan against MNA Tahir Bashir Cheema of NA-190, Bahawalnagar, Chaudhry Ihsanul Haq against MPA Malik Ghulam Murtaza Rahim Khan of PP-253, Muzaffargarh, and Makhdoom Irtiza Hashmi against MPA Hashim Jawan Bakht of PP-291, Rahim Yar Khan, were fixed for hearing on Nov 4.

Petitions of Akhwand Humayun Raza against MPA Abdul Aleem Shah of PP-244, DG Khan, and Mian Ghulam Mohyuddin against MPA Sardar Nawaz Khan of PP-288, Rahim Yar Khan, were fixed for hearing on Nov 5.

The petition of Makhdoom Ahmed Alam Anwar against MNA Khwaja Ghulam Rasool Koreja of NA-192, Rahim Yar Khan, was fixed for Nov 7 while Sardar Samiullah Khan’s plea against MPA Sardar Muhammad Khan Jatoi of PP-259, Muzzaffargarh, will be heard on Nov 8.

Haji Ghulam Abbas Pabbi’s plea against MPA Qaisar Abbas Magsi of PP-264, Layyah, has been fixed for hearing on Nov 11.

The tribunal resumed the hearing after a gap of about one month when it was abolished. However, after the protest of local lawyers and the petitioners concerned, the ECP ordered its restoration and its new judge was named.

PEACE: Speakers during a meeting of the district peace committee at the local circuit house resolved to make efforts for sectarian harmony during Muharram.

The meeting was attended by MNA Sabiha Nazir, MPAs Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar, Fauzia Ayub Qureshi and Shoaib Owaisi, Anjuman-i-Tajran President Hafiz Muhammad Younus and Ulema while Punjab Minister for Cooperatives Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar presided.

District Coordination Officer Imran Sikandar Baloch and District Police Officer Sohail Habib Tajik apprised the meeting of arrangements and security plan for Muharram.