KARACHI, April 7: Justice Moosa K. Leghari of the Sindh High Court decided on Monday to proceed ex parte on a petition filed by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal candidate Aslam Mujahid against the election of MNA Mahmood Ahmed Qureshi of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (H) from NA-255.

The petition could not be heard last month as Mr Qureshi was unable to plead his case due to indisposition. April 7 was fixed as the last date for him to put up his defence against the allegation of irregularities levelled by Mr Mujahid in his petition.

When the respondent failed to appear on Monday personally or through a lawyer, the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Junaid Farooqui, pressed for exparte proceedings. Justice Leghari, who constitutes an election tribunal hearing challenges to the October 2002 polls, ordered closure of Mr Qureshi’s side and asked Mr Farooqui to proceed with his arguments and production of evidence to substantiate the allegations of irregularities from April 21, the next date of hearing.