The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday lifted the stay order that had halted the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s probe into alleged rigging in NA-18 Haripur, directing the electoral body to proceed with the case after hearing all concerned parties.
Announcing the reserved verdict, Acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar dismissed the petition filed by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, which had sought to block the ECP's inquiry into the alleged irregularities.
With the stay now vacated, the IHC has instructed the ECP to hear both sides and make a decision in accordance with the law.
Omar Ayub had challenged the ECP proceedings regarding rigging claims in his constituency and had obtained a stay order against the investigation. Former CJ Aamir Farooq had issued a stay order on the ECP's action.
During the last hearing, Omar Ayub's lawyer asserted that the ECP has to decide on the petition within 60 days, adding that after 60 days the proceeding of commission is illegal.
Omar Ayub had won the election by a huge margin, he said, adding that the opposing candidate also accepted Omar Ayub's victory and even tweeted about it.
The ECP's counsel informed the court that it was Omar Ayub who initially lodged a complaint about rigging on election day.
Later that evening, when Ayub was declared the winner, the opposing candidate also filed a rigging complaint. As the commission began proceedings on both petitions, Ayub approached the high court through a writ petition.
The lawyer argued that the commission had yet to issue any formal action or order, and requested the court to dismiss the petition. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its verdict on Ayub's plea.
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