Ahmed has taken the Landhi police’s superintendent, deputy superintendent and station house officer to court for allegedly denying
his entry into Landhi. PHOTO: INP/FILE
The Sindh High Court issued notice to the Sindh law officer and Landhi police officials on Friday, on the contempt plea of Afaq Ahmed, the chairperson of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi.
Ahmed, who is currently campaigning for upcoming elections, has taken the Landhi police’s superintendent, deputy superintendent and station house officer to court for allegedly denying his entry into Landhi. The petitioner is a candidate for two National Assembly seats (NA-251 and NA-255) in Karachi and is legally entitled to run his election campaign, said his lawyer, Sohail Hameed.
The lawyer recalled that the Sindh High Court on April 29 had directed police officials not to prohibit Afaq Ahmed from conducting his election campaign. The police officers, however, restrained him from campaigning in these areas, alleged the lawyer. He asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against them for disregarding court’s order and to direct the police and Rangers not to stop Afaq from running his election drive.
The bench issued notice to the Landhi SP, DSP and SHO to submit their replies by May 6.
Nabeel Gabol’s plea
SHC has issued notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan, provincial election commissioner and home secretary on the plea of MQM candidate, Nabeel Gabol, who is seeking army deployment in Lyari Town ahead of general elections.
Gabol is contesting from the NA-248 seat on MQM’s ticket.
“Under Articles 218(3) and 220 of the Constitution, the election commission should make arrangements for a peaceful atmosphere during elections. This objective can only be achieved if there is ample presence of the army - not only within the polling stations of Lyari but the entire NA-248 constituency,” his lawyer argued.
After the initial hearing, the bench headed by Justice Maqbool Baqar, issued notice to the provincial home secretary, chief and provincial election commissioners to file their comments by May 6.
Symbol allotment
The election commission was issued a notice on Friday by the SHC for allotting the wrong election symbol to the candidates of the Awami National Party.
Muhammad Ishaq Khan, along with nine other candidates, who are contesting general election from Karachi, took the election commission of Pakistan and the concerned returning officers to the court.
Their lawyer, Qadir Khan, complained that the while the party’s symbol is a ‘lantern’, the commission allotted the candidates other symbols, including basket, cow, bottle, and guitar.
The bench issued notice to the ECP to file its comments by May 6.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2013.
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