LAHORE, March 25: An election tribunal of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday fined Rs5,000 to legislator Imtiaz Ahmad Lali for not having filed his reply to an election petition, challenging his return to the legislature.

The tribunal, while imposing the penalty on the respondent, observed that ample time had been given to him for filing his reply, but he didn’t respond. Now the court was left with no other option.

He was directed to file his reply till April 14, and deposit the fine to the credit of the State by that date.

Petitioner Ghulam Ahmad Lali had challenged the return of Imtiaz Lali, alleging that he did not fulfil the mandatory requirements of Article 62 and 63 of the 1973 Constitution. He requested the court to cancel his membership. — Reporter