SHC displeased with ECP’s one-page reply in Iqama case

SHC ordered Advocate Farooq Naek to appear in court on the next hearing for PPP leaders' iqama

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday ordered Advocate Farooq Naek to appear in court on the next hearing "under any circumstances" in the case of Iqama (work permit) of Faryal Talpur, Manzoor Wassan, Nasir Hussain, Sohail Anwar Siyal and other central leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).



The court warned that if Naek doesn't appear in the next hearing, another case will be filed against him. The case was heard by a two-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.

Representative of the Election Commission of Pakistan Advocate Khawaja Shamsul Islam maintained that he is ready to proceed with the case against Sohail Anwar Siyal and Faryal Talpur. Islam said that they have submitted the reply, to which the court remarked that the reply submitted has nothing.

The court questioned the one-page response, asking if replies were submitted in this matter. Justice Mazhar remarked that a detailed reply was summoned but only a one-page reply was given. Advocate Islam said that Naek was not present for the hearing and hence his junior should be allowed to pursue the case. The court questioned how they could move forward if Naek was not present. The court adjourned the hearing till October 25.



The court was hearing a petition saying that Talpur had not mentioned the Iqama in her papers she filed to contest the elections. She also did not declare her assets in Dubai. According to the petition, Talpur had formed a company in 2002 in Dubai in her daughter's name, Ayesha. Talpur hid the details of the transfer of money and she also did not reveal her Iqama. She is no longer "sadiq" and "ameen" after submitting a false undertaking, said the petitioner.