Put on hold: Olympic association restrained from holding polls

Petitioners claim elections to select office-bearers have become a ‘mere farce’.

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court on Monday issued a stay order restraining the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) from holding elections today (Tuesday) till November 27.

The stay order was issued by a two-judge bench of Justice Yahya Afridi and Muhammad Younis Thaheem while hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Olympic Association K-P President Senator Haji Ghulam Ali and its secretary Qamar Zaman.

Filed through Advocate Shumail Ahmad Butt, the petition cites Inter Provincial Coordination Division secretary, Pakistan Sports Board director general, POA president and director coordination, POA election commission chairman, KPOA ex-president Syed Aqil Shah and ex-secretary Zulfiqar Ahmad Butt as respondents.

Shumail Butt informed the court that Senator Haji Ghulam Ali and Qamar Zaman are looking after the affairs of the KPOA since their election on June 12, 2013 as president and secretary general, respectively.

Butt added Syed Aqil Shah and Zulfiqar Butt got themselves elected in a meeting as president and secretary general, respectively, for the fourth term on February 21, 2012. However, this act was later challenged in the high court.

“The high court heard the matter at length on February 21, 2013 and while allowing the writ petition, set aside the election of Aqil Shah and Zulfiqar Butt and directed holding fresh elections through an independent and impartial election commission,” states the petition.

It also said elections were consequently held on June 12 and Senator Ghulam Ali and Qamar Zaman were elected as president and general secretary, respectively. Following this, Aqil Shah and Butt moved the apex court against the judgment.

However, the respondent later withdrew the civil suit, confirming the petitioners as president and general secretary. The Supreme Court also dismissed the civil appeal on October 28, thus upholding PHC’s judgment delivered on February 21, 2013.

The petition further said POA Election Commission chairman issued an email on November 9 and decided to hold elections on November 25 for various office bearers. To this, Aqil Shah and Zulfiqar Butt said they would represent K-P.

Shumail Butt said their clients have approached the concerned officials, but their request has not been entertained. After hearing the arguments, the court issued a stay order and stopped the association from holding elections on Tuesday (today) till November 27.

Making grounds for their petition, the petitioners said the impugned elections have become a ‘mere farce’ to just perpetuate control of a given group over the affairs of POA.

The petition further states the respondents are required to hold free, fair and independent elections after ensuring due and legal representation of all provinces, especially K-P.

KPOA is affiliated with POA since 1992. The latter is governed by Pakistan Sports Board under the provisions of National Sports Policy 2005 promulgated by the inter-provincial coordination secretary.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2014.