NA-122: LHC admits contempt petition against tribunal judge
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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday admitted for hearing a petition filed by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq whereby he challenged an election tribunal decision pertaining to vote recount in NA-122 constituency and accused tribunal judge Justice Kazim Ali Malik of committing contempt of court.
Sadiq said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's appeal for vote recount was illegal and requested the LHC to reject his plea.
The NA speaker, in his petition, also said the order for vote recount was against the Supreme Court's directives and alleged the tribunal judge of committing contempt.
Last week, an election tribunal had accepted Khan's request for opening ballot bags in NA-122 to investigate allegations of rigging.
Earlier, Sadiq had filed an appeal with the tribunal against opening of the ballot bags which was rejected by Justice Kazim. A single-member commission had also been ordered to check the records after opening the ballot bags in NA-122.
NA-122 is one of the four constituencies where the PTI had sought a recount and verification of voters’ thumb impressions. Sadiq had defeated Khan in the 2013 general elections and the PTI had challenged the results.
Returning officer calls Imran Khan, Ayaz Sadiq for verification process
After meeting with District Election Commissioner Shabbar Raza, Returning Officer Shahida Saeed of the NA-122 constituency issued notices to Imran Khan and Ayaz Sadiq to reach the office of the deputy commissioner at 9am on Tuesday (tomorrow).
In the presence of both the leaders, process of verification of ballot bags would begin, the notice said. Due to the absence of assistant returning officer, the process was delayed and could not be initiated today.
Take a look: Election tribunal orders opening of ballot bags in NA-122
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On DawnNews
Comments (79) Closed
Dec 15, 2014 02:46pm
A sub-judice case is taken up to the supreme court for fear of rigging exposition! Speaker of NA with this sort of ignorance of the legal process in Pakistan. Guess this happens when the election is limited to selection of inept politicians.
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Dec 15, 2014 02:50pm
This man Sardar Ayaz Sadi and Khawaja Saad Rafiq striving to drag PML-N out of Pakistan politics. And Nawaz Sharif don't have courage to counter them.
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Dec 15, 2014 02:52pm
What Ayaz Sadiq is doing.........and what Mr. Ishaq Dar is saying are two completely different things. The credibility of the PML-N in this is certainly in doubt.
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Dec 15, 2014 02:57pm
Nawaz Government lose morally ..............it should do counting and punish who do rigging........ every thing will be normal......
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Dec 15, 2014 02:57pm
Shame on every one causing delays keeping in view the current political crisis.
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Dec 15, 2014 02:59pm
Despite clear judgments from the Supreme Court that "interim orders" of the Election Tribunals cannot be challenged / stay granted, Mr. Ayaz Sadiq is testing the "weathered relationship" between Sharif and LHC.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:00pm
Clearly Mr Ayaz Sadiq is worried. Of course if there was never any rigging and he won the elections fairly, then he would welcome the election tribunal to continue its investigation. We all know why he is worried!
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Dec 15, 2014 03:01pm
what kind of stupidity is this as for justice is illegal? Is there any doubt in any one mind now that the election was rigged. If the recounting is done now Peoples should not ask court and decide them self on street since every where you find corrupt ruling in Pakistan
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Dec 15, 2014 03:03pm
putting up a brave face won't help Mr.Sadiq. Just face it you were part of rigging.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:05pm
What a sorry state of the Pakistani politics and the politicians.Any where else in the world with this sort of question hanging around your neck, will have the decency to first resign and then immediately start the investigation to clarify his or her name.Mr speaker of the house,if you are innocent then you should come out and arrange to check your winning votes to prove I.Khan wrong.But you are not doing that and trying to block any such thing which will show your guilt and rigging.
SHAME SHAME.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:10pm
You can run but you can't hide
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Dec 15, 2014 03:21pm
It tells you volumes about Ayaz Sadiq's election win
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Dec 15, 2014 03:24pm
So Ayaz is basically saying, "Dont open the bag which contains fake votes" ?
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Dec 15, 2014 03:26pm
Seems like PML-N is not concerned about credibility at all. it is a shameful act to keep delaying justice while being in government.Before I was not, but now I am sure PML-N is trying to hide rigging.simply shameful.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:28pm
And you blame IK for causing hurdles to bring the whole situation to end. This act by mr Sadiq clearly states that he is covering up something that would surly promote the down slide of his government.
Yes as a PTI supporter i condemn the closure or various cities in Pak , but it is also important to look at the motivation behind such closures. The government should demonstrate its sincerity for solving the mini civil war between two parties but i am afraid to say that it is not the case.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:37pm
@Parvez what Imran khan is saying and what he is doing are also different and contradictory. This hurts PTIs credibility more because it's the same individual with some split personality disorder at the helm.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:38pm
Speaker has rightly filed the appeal in seeking judicial assistance instead of running from post to pillar
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Dec 15, 2014 03:42pm
Surely, if the NA speaker is sure no wrong doing took place he has nothing to fear and let the recount take place but he is aware that his position in untenable and therefore he will resist the recount at any price!
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Dec 15, 2014 03:43pm
Those who are poeple who are against tranparency and have vested interest should be deleted!!
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Dec 15, 2014 03:44pm
An eye opener for those who think IK is wrong.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:50pm
why is sadiq so scared. If he has won then he has nothing to fear.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:51pm
What is this guy afraid of ?
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Dec 15, 2014 03:52pm
Supreme court says that Election Tribunal is the right forum to decide the fate of winning candidate if the opponent has any doubt of rigging. The decision of the ET is challenged after its rare decision after 19 months. This is called justice in the post colonial era. A common man can't expect justice under this system of injustices where getting justice is out of the reach of even a middle class person.
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Dec 15, 2014 03:53pm
why is he afraid of recount?
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Dec 15, 2014 03:54pm
what a shameful act of speaker, hiding behind stay orders
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Dec 15, 2014 04:00pm
Pmln have lost all credibility
People no longer fooled by these corrupt politicians
You only have to watch the Lahore rally today. People of Lahore Karachi and faisalabad have rejected pmln
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Dec 15, 2014 04:01pm
I am ashamed to call him the speaker of our national assembly.
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Dec 15, 2014 04:05pm
Courts would grant stay order without considering their earlier verdicts that election petitions are out of their jurisdiction. However, if candidate from other party would approach courts to seek justice, courts would simple decline on grounds that it is out of their jurisdiction.
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Dec 15, 2014 04:07pm
I am winner but no one have the right to know how i won.. Its Patwari logic.
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Dec 15, 2014 04:12pm
By taking such steps, Mr. Sadiq is proving that there is something actually wrong. Why would the speaker of the NA be scared of vote count? Isn't he sure that he won fairly? Sadly, Mr Sadiq forgets that he won't be speaker for lifetime but for some more years and than bye-bye PML-N.
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Dec 15, 2014 04:13pm
Why o why????
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Dec 15, 2014 04:21pm
This is our not so honourable speaker. No integrity and self reapect at all.
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Dec 15, 2014 04:21pm
I wonder if Ayaz Sadiq, Saad Rafiq or PML-N really understand the concept of transparency in the electoral or governance process. Do they really think that the people of Pakistan do not understand what is really going on?
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Dec 15, 2014 04:21pm
He definitely has nothing to hide ;)
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Dec 15, 2014 04:26pm
The physical Gullu Butts have been found wanting. Let us see if the legal ones can get the job done.
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Dec 15, 2014 04:28pm
Mr. Ayaz Sadiq! If you have truly won the elections then why fearing the investigation? Be a man!
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Dec 15, 2014 04:43pm
the fact he is going to court tells us how eager he is to cover this up, if had nothing to hide and truly believed he won the election fairly. He should have no qualms about a recount. After all if the people truly elected him, why try to stop the process of verifying his win? The noon league have very little credibility on this matter.
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Dec 15, 2014 04:56pm
Mr Speaker I know you won the ''election'' fair and square. I also know that this fella Imran Khan is just making hue and cry for the sake of it. but Mr Speaker, I have a solution to shut this guy up big time and that is to not challenge the recounts in courts as only truth will come out of it that you win this ''election'' fairly. please also convince Mr Railway Minister to do the same and let the people of Pakistan know that you guys are not cheaters.
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Dec 15, 2014 05:09pm
With Ayaz Sadiq wicket down, I am sure, whole Team of Ayaz Sadiq and Nawaz Sharif will be out, have no reason to stay on Wicket, go home and hide your faces. Ask that HC Honourable Judge who gave you a stay order, whereas, all refused, that judge must also resign because he took Ayaz Sadiq side against the law.
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Dec 15, 2014 05:11pm
why is he keep challenging the vote recount ? What he is afraid of ???
Wake up PML (N) supporters.. !!!!
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Dec 15, 2014 05:14pm
This is the cleaer indication for electrol process in election to come, all status quo parties be its PML-N , PPP , MQM , ANP , JUI-F wount allow biometric system of election.
They knew very well, once this system implemented they will be goner.
Because tabdeeli aa nahi rahi , tabdeeli a gai hay..
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Dec 15, 2014 05:15pm
So cute and innocent Mr Ayaz, :) but definitely not a Sadiq. Remember, your and your masters days are numbered!
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Dec 15, 2014 05:49pm
Supreme court said that they could not investigate election fraud because its election commission's responsibility. If this is the case then how Lahore high court can listen this petition.
Stop wasting public's time and let the recount investigation happen. PML-N has lost all credibility!
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Dec 15, 2014 05:54pm
Mr. Ayaz Sadiq has nothing to hide and has nothing to declare. He is now like the emperor who wore no clothes.
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Dec 15, 2014 06:04pm
Imran khan is 100% spot on when he say the judiciary is as corrupt as the sharif themselves. Judiciary is ad respsir for the current situation ad is the gov of nawaz sharif. The Supreme Court says it's not its job to order a recount or investigate the rigging it's the election tribunals job but when the election tribunal try to sort it out on its own then we have the LHC trying to stop the election tribunal from its duty. I wonder who's job it is to sort out this mess! its evident that they are trying to hide something and save someone
Down with the corrupt judiciary
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Dec 15, 2014 06:05pm
This means Ayaz had lost his seat and recount will expose it.
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Dec 15, 2014 06:08pm
The speaker of the house, a symbol of Integrity and honesty, running around desperately to avoid a recount, knowing what dishonest and unethical deeds were done, to gain a seat. Reflection of the government and all those parties that support it. shame on NS.
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Dec 15, 2014 06:17pm
If the LHC reverts this decision then it will be seen as judiciary being complicit with the government in rigging. This needs to be cleared at all judicial levels, the HC and the SC. Ballots need to be recounted in constituencies where there is ample evidence of rigging. Isn't it a sufficient proof of rigging that the NA speaker is trying to block the vote recount in his constituency? Any sane person would pay attention to it. If Pakistanis want a true democracy then this needs to be done and no "doctrine of necessity" should be allowed to deny the rightful person from being elected.
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Dec 15, 2014 06:17pm
Why a winner is afraid of vote recount ?
Speaker National Assembly Mr. Ayaz Sadiq has lost his credibility by challenging the vote recount because he knows that he was a looser and only rigging helped him to win the seat.
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Dec 15, 2014 06:22pm
First he got a stay order for 9 months and now he is requesting LHC to declear that the recount is illegal. Great assembly, great speaker, great government. Thanks IK for exposing these thugs.
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Dec 15, 2014 06:24pm
@M.M.Sherazi Then you and your speaker are directly responsible for what happening in the streets of country. If you love your country why not go for it? Absolutely soulless people. No wonder Pakistan is dying because we have people who put themselves ahead of country and nation.
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Dec 15, 2014 06:38pm
@Sami Ullah Swati The matter was already before the Supreme Court. Contempt of court means that the process laid down by the court was not followed.
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Dec 15, 2014 07:13pm
If you have not done any thing wrong then what are you scared of. All these delaying tactics are supporting vote rigging allegations are right. I don't know why these winner are not feeling ashamed for their act. They just want to drag their feet and putting the whole Pakistan in a dilemma. Shame on you cowards. Let the truth prevail.
Khawar Khyam
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Dec 15, 2014 07:15pm
Why is this man afraid of vote count?
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Dec 15, 2014 07:24pm
For how long he will be avoiding to face the eventuality of his success. If he is honest winner he should not worry and take shelter of stay orders and misuse of his official capacity.
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Dec 15, 2014 07:26pm
@Akib do you even know what you are talking? May be you need to follow more on this case to clear your mind.
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Dec 15, 2014 07:42pm
Let the truth prevail. If you won the election fairly, what are you afraid of ?
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Dec 15, 2014 07:51pm
This speaker is a disgrace and continues to make Pakistan a laughing stock in the world. These politicians have no shame or self respect and will do whatever to stop the justice process. What a shame
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Dec 15, 2014 07:53pm
This is what Pakistani nation is up against. O boy, O boy.
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Dec 15, 2014 07:57pm
If Ayaz Sadiq loses his seat - surely other dominoes will fall,all the king's horsemen won't be able to save Sharif's fiefdom.
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Dec 15, 2014 08:12pm
the simple fact is, if PMLN was given the mandate as they claim then they should not have any issue in opening the ballot. Put the whole issue and PTI to rest and carry on with their governance. However, when they involve themselves in practices like what speaker is doing, they are giving more voice to Imran Khan's claim. Any person with sound mind can see that.
also, this part is very confusing. On one hand the Supreme Court is stating that rigging has to be dealt by the tribunals and the courts would like to stay away from this whole political mess but on the other hand the same court is accepting petition filed against the tribunal.
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Dec 15, 2014 08:18pm
Here we go again. This proves Imran is right. the core issue is not Imran it is recounting and what the results will show.
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Dec 15, 2014 09:08pm
Oh my God please no. Why the Speaker hiding behind stay orders. Ayaz Sadiq you are given honorable position by PMLN and you are just making it worst for them and your name.
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Dec 15, 2014 09:23pm
Ayaz Sadiq may be buying time to get the ballet papers in the ballet bags 'fixed'.
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Dec 15, 2014 09:42pm
Then why the hypocrisy of a dialogue.
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Dec 15, 2014 11:04pm
For him and PMLN this is a game in which they can cheat and fraud to keep a prize. It is high time they realize that it is a serious investigation and they will be held to account. These people spend half their time abroad but have not learnt anything good from western democracies
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Dec 15, 2014 11:24pm
This shows the morality of our nation. Ayaz Sadiq knows that he can get away with this by hiding behind legal cover. This is failure of our nation. Stop blaming Ayaz Sadiq, he is just acting in his self-interest.
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Dec 15, 2014 11:58pm
Politicans in pakistan prefer their personal intreast than country who cares of law and constitution
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Dec 16, 2014 12:06am
coming from a person whose last name is ' sadiq'. irony.
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Dec 16, 2014 12:58am
@Sami Ullah Swati
There must be some other reason b/c Ayaz knows what people will think. I am sure Ayaz won fair and square this election.
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Dec 16, 2014 01:57am
Poor ayaz sadiq...the whole Pakistan is at standstill due to rigging allegations and look what he is doing....desperately trying to hide behind Pakistan's rusty judicial system
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Dec 16, 2014 03:26am
Ayaz Sadig is a disgrace to the seat of speaker of National Assembly.
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Dec 16, 2014 04:24am
It's a pity Sadiq is part of his name. He should be called " Sardar Stay Order"
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Dec 16, 2014 04:35am
The Supereme Court says that they cannot create a Commission to do the recount, go to the Election Tribunal. While Ayaz (Nawaz Sharif) says that the order for vote recount by tribunal judge Justice Kazim Ali Malik, was against the Supreme Court's directives.
What kind of illogical statement is this.
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Dec 16, 2014 04:43am
Look at this Speaker of the National Assembly, he is scared and he should be, he did not win. No body in Ichhra area knows him, he cannot get even 10 votes. This whole election was a joke.
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Dec 16, 2014 05:26am
No vote count!!
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Dec 16, 2014 05:27am
@Saman no he is merely saying that since those were the most credible vote in Pakistan history no one should question them.
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Dec 16, 2014 08:02am
Ayaz Sadiq is scared to death. In his heart and mind he knows he has cheated yo win his seat . He is a coward and a loser!
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Dec 16, 2014 08:27am
Wow, what a speaker we have who says "... appeal for vote recount was illegal". And what a justice system we have that has been entertaining such defense for nearly 2 years. And what a loyal voters/workers we have who still believe the elections were free, fair and transparent
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