IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan stops recounting process in six Union Councils of Karachi

ISLAMABAD, Mar 27 (SABAH): While stopping recounting process in six union councils of Karachi on directives of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of Islamabad High Court on a petition filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi issued stay order on Monday.

The court while issuing notice to the ECP sought reply and adjourned the further hearing till tomorrow (Wednesday).

President Islamabad Bar Association Chaudhry Qaiser Imam Advocate and Hassan Javed Shorish Advocate appeared before the court from the petitioner’s side.

ECP’s order was challenged in the Islamabad High Court on behalf of Naib Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Raja Arif Sultan Minhas and President Public Aid Committee Saifuddin Advocate. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of Islamabad High Court conducted hearing on the petition and ordered to stop the recounting of votes in six union councils of Karachi till further orders.

Petitioner adopted the stance before the court that a period of about two months has passed since elections and all ballot boxes, bags and other record have been opened besides tampering of record. The counsel of the petitioner further argued the recounting matter has been sent to the returning officers who were involved in rigging.

In the petition, it was argued that recounting in the six union councils was against the rules. Jamaat-e-Islami through the petition stated that ECP’s decision was against the spirit of law and constitution and requested the court to declare it null and void.

Through petition, the court was requested to term void the order of recounting by the ECP and the polls outcome they submitted in ECP according to form-11, the candidates of Jamaat-e-Islami be declared as successful and be ordered for re-polling in these six union councils.

Whereas the applicant also requested the court to take action against personnel of ECP involved rigging. It is noteworthy here that rigging in the Karachi local bodies’ polls had been challenged by Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Naib Emir Raja Arif Sultan Minhas on Jan 15, 2023. After conducting many hearings the ECP has reserved the decision. Also that while announcing the decision on March 22, the ECP had ordered for recounting in the six union councils.