Pak SC sets aside Lahore HC order to ensure polls on time

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Sunday suspended the Lahore high court ( LHC) verdict challenging the changes in nomination papers for the July 25 polls

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Sunday suspended the Lahore high court ( LHC) verdict challenging the changes in nomination papers for the July 25 polls.

The Election Commission of Pakistan ( ECP) and National Assembly ( NA) speaker Ayaz Sadiq had filed a petition against LHC’s verdict.

“Elections will be held on time. ECP will be held responsible if there is any delay in elections”, remarked Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.

LHC — in its verdict on Friday — had nullified the nomination papers to be submitted by the candidates for general polls 2018, stating they did not seek necessary information and declarations such as details on educational background and criminal record.

Earlier, Mr Sadiq and ECP challenged the LHC verdict that the new nomination forms violated Article 62, 63 of the constitution. The petitioners’ counsels urged Justice Nisar to expedite the case as the high court’s decision could delay forthcoming general polls.

On Friday, the LHC had ruled that the forms to be submitted by candidates did not include mandatory information and declarations required from the aspiring lawmakers by the Constitution and law, including details such as their educational background, criminal record or if they are dual nationals.

In the judgment, Justice Ayesha Malik had directed ECP to redraft the papers ensuring that mandatory information and declarations were part of the revised nomination Form A – for assembly and Senate and Form B – the statement of assets and liabilities.