Waran raises the jurisdiction question

LHC directed the counsel for former MNA Amir Yar Waran to appear before the court.

LAHORE: Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of the Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the counsel for former MNA Amir Yar Waran to appear before the court for his submissions on the point of jurisdiction of the court in a writ petition challenging the acceptance of his nomination papers for the by-election being held in NA-184, Bahawalpur.

The petitioner has contended that his constituency does not fall in the jurisdiction of the LHC principal seat and argued that the petition should therefore be heard at the Bahawalpur bench of the court. On Thursday, the court directed the counsel to assist the court on the point of jurisdiction at the next hearing.

The petition was filed by Muhammad Jamil, also a candidate for the by-election in the constituency of national assembly to be held on August 25.

The petitioner, a rival candidate, has challenged the acceptance of the respondent’s nomination papers by the returning officer. He has prayed that the court set aside the returning officer’s ruling and disqualify the respondent under Article 62 of the Constitution.

Amir Yar Waran had earlier resigned from the same constituency, ostensibly to avoid an unfavourable ruling from the Supreme Court. For by-polls he has been awarded a PPP ticket.

Published in The Express Tribune August 20^th, 2010.