LAHORE, Sept 16: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought comments of the federal government on a writ petition challenging the validity of the presidential referendum and seeking the sacking of the Chief Election Commissioner for alleged rigging (of referendum) by Sept 24.

Pakistan Lawyers Forum counsel A. K. Dogar submitted that the writ petition had been admitted for hearing before the summer vacation but proceedings could not commence because of the failure of the federal government to submit its answer.

Deputy Attorney-General Khwaja Saeeduz Zafar assured the court that the federal government’s answer would be presented on the next date of hearing.

The PLF has challenged the validity of the referendum on the ground that it was held to extend the tenure of President Gen Pervez Musharraf beyond the three-year period allowed to him by the Supreme Court in Zafar Ali Shah case.

The petitioner has also sought the replacement of Chief Election Commissioner Irshad Hasan Khan for collaborating with President Musharraf and rigging the referendum for achieving the desired results.

CONTEMPT PETITION: Justice M. Ijaz Buttar of the LHC adjourned the hearing of the amended writ petition against the Legal Framework Order and contempt of court application filed by the Pakistan Lawyers Forum president A. K. Dogar against President Musharraf for Sept 23 in view of his preoccupation with the hearing of the election petitions. —Reporter