PESHAWAR; The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday barred the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from conducting by-elections in NA-1 (Chitral) until a decision is made on a petition challenging the disqualification of former MNA Abdul Latif.
The order was issued by a division bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal during the hearing of Latif’s petition. The court also issued notices to the Attorney General and the ECP, directing that the NA-1 seat should remain vacant until the matter is resolved.
During the proceedings, Latif’s counsel, Advocate Moazzam Butt, argued that his client was elected as MNA from NA-1 Chitral and was disqualified without being given an opportunity to be heard. He said the National Assembly Speaker forwarded a reference to the ECP, citing a 10-year sentence handed down by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) as grounds for Latif’s removal.
The lawyer contended that the ECP acted unilaterally by disqualifying his client and declaring the seat vacant, without following due process. He further noted that the ATC verdict was issued in Latif’s absence and that an appeal against the conviction is already pending.
Under the law, the ECP is required to decide on a disqualification reference within 90 days, he added.
After hearing initial arguments, the court stayed the by-election process in NA-1 Chitral and adjourned further proceedings until August 20.
