ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday extended the date for by-election on NA-205 Ghotki seat by five days to July 23.

The decision came after the Sindh High Court announced its decision on various petitions challenging acceptance and rejection of nomination papers of the candidates contesting the by-election.

Sources told Dawn that Sindh Election Commissioner Yousaf Khattak had sent a report to the ECP a few days ago, informing it that the high court would announce its decision on pending petitions on July 16. He had recommended July 25 as the new date for the by-election.

NA-205 seat fell vacant after the death of narcotics control minister Ali Mohammad Mahar

On Tuesday, Mr Khattak informed the ECP that the high court had rejected all the pending petitions. Consequently, the ECP fixed July 23 for the by-poll.

The NA-205 seat fell vacant after the death of federal minister for narcotics control Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar.

Waseem Shamsi adds from Sukkur: A high court bench at Sukkur comprising Justice Abdul Malik Gadi and Justice Arshad Hussain Khan on Tuesday rejected the applications filed for declaring PPP candidate Sardar Mohammad Bux Mahar and independent candidates Sardar Ahmed Ali Mahar and Haji Khan Mahar as ineligible.

Meanwhile, Sardar Mohammad Bux Mahar arrived in Khangarh from Ghotki in a big procession.

Speaking at a press conference at the residence of Zabardast Khan Mahar, the PPP candidate said he was confident of his victory in the by-poll.

He said his political opponents had been disappointed by restoration of his nomination papers by the high court.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2019