LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition by PTI-backed independent candidate Advocate Salman Akram Raja seeking contempt proceedings against the returning officer (RO) of NA-128.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi announced a reserved verdict dismissing the petition for not being maintainable.

Mr Raja, who contested the election as a PTI-backed independent candidate, pleaded through a counsel that the court had ordered the RO to make a decision according to the law, based on the petitioner’s request.

However, the counsel said the RO ignored the court’s order and did not even summon Mr Raja to present his stance. He said the defiance of the court orders falls under contempt of court and is a punishable offense.

The counsel asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the RO for not complying with the court’s decision.

Justice Najafi had directed the RO to consolidate the Feb 8 election results in the NA-128 in the presence of all candidates including the petitioner.

Mr Raja had challenged the victory of Awn Chaudhry of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP).

BAIL: A Lahore High Court two-judge bench on Wednesday disposed of a petition of PTI founder Imran Khan for protective bail in Toshakhana case for being infructuous.

The bench had granted protective bail to Khan in June last year.

The bench was informed on Wednesday that the petitioner had been convicted in the case.

At this, the bench disposed of the petition being infructuous.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2024