Fee, members list: IHC suspends ECP notice till Dec 9

Seeks replies from federal, Punjab govts over hunting permits to Gulf princes

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday suspended the notice issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan on a petition filed by four political parties, challenging Sections 202 and 204 of the Electoral Reforms Bill 2017.

All political parties were issued notices under the new elections law to submit a fee of Rs200,000 and a list of at least 2,000 members till December 2 otherwise they would be delisted on December 4.

A single-judge bench of Justice Amir Farooq heard the identical petitions moved by Pakistan Democratic Party, Sadaa-i-Pakistan, Fatahyab Democratic Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Safdar Zaman), who were represented by advocates Hafiz Mohammad Sufyan and Chaudhry Muhammad Hamid.

According to the petitioners, these clauses were in contrary to basic human rights as well as the Constitution. After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned the hearing till December 9.

Separately, the IHC sought responses from the federal and Punjab governments over issuing hunting permits to Qatari and UAE princes.

The court of Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb was hearing the petition filed by advocate GM Chaudhry.

The court ordered the parties to submit their replies within 10 days.

The petitioners submitted that on November 24, a news published in a local daily stating that the Punjab government has issued permits for hunting to Qatari princes and officials from the UAE.

According to the newspaper, Emir Qatar Sheikh Hammad has been allotted the Bahawalnagar district, while the districts of Layyah and Jhang have been allotted to Qatar Foreign Minister Hammad bin Jasim for hunting.

The court has been requested to collect the details of security expense of the princes. The court termed notification issued by the Punjab government as unconstitutional.

The federation, foreign secretary and Punjab chief minister have been nominated in the case.