PESHAWAR, Oct 18: A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday restrained the Election Commission of Pakistan from holding by-elections in Ranolia union council, Kohistan district.

The bench, comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Malik Hamid Saeed, also summoned the concerned returning officer on Nov 13 to inquire as to why he had rejected nomination papers of a candidate for Nazimship.

The returning officer, Umar Malik, who had previously avoided appearing before the court, was ordered to remaim present on next hearing.

The bench directed the election commission not to hold by-election in the union council till the writ petition filed by the candidate, Saifur Rehman, was finally disposed of.

SHO SUMMONED: In a habeas corpus petition, the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan, on Thursday summoned the assistant political agent of FR Kohat and station house officer of Badabher police station for Friday.

In the petition, an inhabitant of Mera Mashogagar, Sarwar Khan, has stated that his son, Bostan, was wanted by the police and tribal administration.

He stated that on Oct 5, officials of Bhadabher police station raided his house and when they did not find Bostan they arrested his (Sarwar’s) second son, Gulistan.

The petitioner stated that Gulistan was later on handed over to the APA of FR Kohat.

He further stated that the police had not fulfilled the requirements under the Criminal Procedure Code while handing over the detainee to the tribal authorities.

He claimed that Gulistan was not wanted in any case.