ECP right forum to look into Zardari disqualification case: IHC

It is important to maintain the supremacy of the Parliament, says Justice Athar Minallah

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Athar Minallah, during the hearing of a petition seeking disqualification of former president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday, said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would be the right forum to address the issue, reported Express News.

“Why you have raised the issue in the court when the matter should be dealt with in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)?” Justice Minallah questioned the PTI lawyers.

 

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ramped up pressure on the PPP by filing the disqualification petition against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman.



The petition was filed by PTI leader Khurram Sher Zaman and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar on January 21 at the Supreme Court.

However, the SC registrar raised objections over the petitions and returned them, after which the party decided to approach the IHC on the matter.

“A political battle should be fought on a political forum and the Parliament," added Justice Minallah.

The lawyers representing the ruling party countered by that the case was filed under Article 62(f)(i) of the Constitution and "under this article, the ECP is not an authorised forum to resolve the matter”.

 

Justice Minallah highlighted that it was important to maintain the supremacy of the Parliament.



“It is a time to strengthen the Parliament. It should make a committee to look into the matter,” said the IHC judge and insisted, “The high court already has a number of pending cases which have to be taken up on a priority basis.”

Meanwhile, terming the petition as maintainable, the IHC sought arguments at the next hearing.

According to the IHC chief justice, the court needed to be assured that it was a case of public concern and the court should look into the matter on a priority basis.