LAHORE: A division bench of the Lahore High Court reserved on Wednesday its verdict on appeals against postponement of by-elections in the province by a single-judge bench of the court.
 
Earlier, counsel for Punjab government Khawaja Haris concluded his arguments before the bench comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

The bench observed that the Chief Election Commissioner was constitutionally bound to consider any material and law and order situation provided to it but not bound to hear any party on such material.

Khawaja Haris said the election commission should have heard the government before issuing the election schedule.

The Intra Court Appeals (ICAs) were filed by Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Advocates Muhammad Azhar Siddique and Manzoor Ali Gillani.

Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had on Oct 9 ordered postponement of by-elections in the province on the Punjab government’s plea that the commission had not given an opportunity to the government to present its point of view.