CJ recuses himself from PTI's thumb print verification case

Mulk says PTI had moved plea when he was acting chief election commissioner

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk on Monday recused himself from hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea regarding thumb print verification in four constituencies.

The three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by CJP himself today took up PTI and Workers Party Pakistan’ plea regarding the non-implementation of its June 8, 2012 judgment about the introduction new election reforms during May general elections.

During the hearing, the chief justice observed that when he was the acting chief election commissioner, PTI had moved two applications in this case in the month of March and June.

He said that on his direction, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had submitted its replies over the PTI applications; therefore, he is recusing himself from hearing this case. Now the case, which has been adjourned till November 10, will be heard by another bench.

Last year, PTI, through its counsel Hamid Khan, had submitted an application regarding how the court’s directions in Workers Party case judgment was flouted by the ECP and had also given details about alleged rigging in last year general elections. The PTI had also sought ‘verification of thumb impressions’ in NA-110, NA-122, NA-125 and NA 154.

The ECP has already submitted its replies through Additional Secretary Shair Afgan over the PTI plea. The poll body had told the Supreme Court that whole election scheme was framed by Returning Officers (ROs) in last year general elections.