The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Thursday dismissed an appeal by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) challenging the formation of election tribunals by the Lahore High Court (LHC). The two-member SC bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Naeem Afghan, heard the appeal. Representing the ECP was lawyer Sikandar Bashir, while Salman Akram Raja represented the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
During the hearing, CJP Justice Isa expressed concern over the frequent use of ordinances and the inclination to create disputes. He questioned why the Chief Election Commissioner and the CJP could not meet to resolve disputes, suggesting that excessive contentious issues undermine Parliament. Justice Isa emphasized that relying on ordinances disregards and violates parliamentary authority.
The Chief Justice also referenced a previous dispute between the President and the Election Commission regarding the election date and questioned the necessity of letters from the Registrar of the High Court.
In dismissing the ECP’s plea, the SC bench forwarded the matter to the Supreme Court committee for the formation of a larger bench.
On June 12, Chief Justice Lahore High Court Malik Shahzad Ahmad had ordered the constitution of eight election tribunals, a decision subsequently challenged by the ECP in the Supreme Court.