Petitioner seeks hearing against CM in LHC

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Muhammad Qasim Khan has directed the petitioner’s counsel to assist the court on principles under which the matter of Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar’s disqualification could be entertained at the principal seat.

The plea sought the CM’s disqualification over alleged concealment of facts in his nomination papers submitted before the Election Commission of Pakistan.

On Tuesday, as proceedings commenced the CJ remarked that the petition should have been filed before the Multan Bench as CM Buzdar had contested the election from Taunsa Sharif.

The petitioner’s counsel implored the court that there are precedents and judgments of the superior courts wherein cases of similar nature were entertained at the principal seat.

Lahore High Court reserves decision on two appeals

The LHC Registrar Office had put forth objections on the petition, stating it could not be filed at LHC’s principal seat and the CM could not be made a respondent through the principal secretary.

The petitioner, Abdul Waheed Khan Baloch, prayed the court that the election of CM Buzdar be declared null and void, declaring him dishonest in the light of article 62 and 63 of the constitution of Pakistan.

He also sought de-notification of the chief minister’s membership of the provincial assembly and requested the court to disallow him from exercising his powers till the court reaches a decision on the petition.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2020.