MPA-elect Chaudhry Nisar's failure to take oath challenged in LHC

Published January 26, 2019
Chaudhry Nisar has failed to take his oath in Punjab Assembly despite six months having passed by. — File
Chaudhry Nisar has failed to take his oath in Punjab Assembly despite six months having passed by. — File

Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's continued failure to take oath in the Punjab Assembly was challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday.

Nisar contested the 2018 general elections from two NA and two provincial seats, losing all but from the PA-10 constituency. He has, however, not taken his oath — a development that has been challenged in the high court.

The petition, filed by Advocate Nadeem Sarvar on behalf of Advocate Mian Asif Mahmood, prays the court to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to de-notify Nisar for his failure to take oath, and also pleaded the court to order the federal and Punjab governments to amend the relevant laws and introduce a time frame for lawmakers-elect to take their oath.

The petitioner claimed that Nisar's decision to not take his oath was a violation of the law of people's representation.

Take a look: Accountability not being done transparently: Nisar

Furthermore, the petition states that Nisar's failure to take oath was not only an insult to the voters but also a violation of the Article 2A, 17 and 25 of the Constitution.

"The act of not taking oath amounts to depriving the people of said locality from their fundamental right enshrine in the Articles 2-A, 17 and 25 of the Constitution because representation is an activity of citizens' voices, opinions and perspectives 'present' in public policy making process," the petition notes, adding that "representation only occurs when representative speaks, advocate, symbolise and act on the behalf of the electors in parliament."

The court has fixed the petition for hearing on Monday.

Opinion

Editorial

More stabilisation
Updated 23 May, 2026

More stabilisation

The stabilisation achieved through painful growth compression steps could have been used as a platform for structural reforms.
Appalling tactics
23 May, 2026

Appalling tactics

IN Punjab, an encounter with the law can quickly turn deadly. Encouraged by a culture of ‘shoot first, ask...
Failed experiment
23 May, 2026

Failed experiment

IT is going from bad to worse for Shan Masood and Pakistan. It is now seven successive Test defeats away from home;...
Hardening lines
Updated 22 May, 2026

Hardening lines

Iranian suspicions about Pakistan’s close ties with Washington and Gulf states persist, while Pakistan remains uneasy over Tehran’s growing engagement with India.
Unliveable city
22 May, 2026

Unliveable city

IN Karachi, when it comes to water, it is every man and woman for themselves. A persistent shortage in available...
Glof alert
22 May, 2026

Glof alert

FOR many communities in northern Pakistan, the sound of heavy rain now carries a different meaning. It is no longer...