Will appeal LHC verdict, ensure elections are held on time: Ayaz Sadiq

Justice Ayesha Malik's decision on the nomination papers came at an odd time, says Sadiq

Former speaker of the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday announced that he will file an appeal against Lahore High Court's (LHC) verdict rejecting nomination papers for the upcoming elections.



"Justice Ayesha Malik's decision on nomination papers came at an odd time. The petition was filed in December 2017," said Sadiq while speaking to the media in Islamabad. "On May 31, the assembly's tenure was to end, and the judgment came when the tenure ended."

The former speaker said had the issue been given a chance to go to the Lower House, there would have been debate and discussion on the matter but that chance wasn't given. "The verdict came after the announcement of the election schedule as well. What does this signify?" he questioned.

"Only the judge can tell us what was the reason behind the delay in the verdict. An identical petition was also rejected by the IHC," Sadiq said further. "Even the Senate elections were held according to the election act."

The former NA speaker elaborated that all parties had decided to make amends in the forms. "I will file a petition, I'll call for this decision to be nullified. I'll plea in my petition to not change the election dates." The former speaker also added that he would be consulting his lawyer so that the petition can be filed immediately.



"Could this verdict not come earlier?" he questioned the LHC decision. "Didn't she know when the tenure would end?" he added. Sadiq also said he had approached the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on the matter and will contact others as well. The election act was passed with consensus, further said the PML-N leader.

"Will they now pass judgments on bills and acts passed by parliaments? If the forms aren't of their liking, will they reject them too?"