LAHORE, /DNA/ – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a notification of new MPAs on five reserved seats of
Punjab Assembly. Justice Shahid Waheed passed the orders while allowing a petition filed by Zainab
Umar, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA challenging ECP’s decision of delaying
the notification of new MPAs on five reserved seats of Punjab Assembly till by-poll
on 20 general seats. During the proceedings, petitioner’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar argued before the
court that the ECP was duty bound to issue a notification of new members on reserved
seats after de-notifying the dissident members but the ECP was not issuing the same.
He submitted that the commission had decided to issue the notification of new MPAs
after by-polls on July 17. He submitted that the decision was illegal and pleaded with
the court to set aside the decision and order the ECP to immediately issue the notifications
of new MPAs on the reserved seats as the lists had already been given to it.
However, Advocate General Punjab argued that the notification of reserved seats
was issued after the general elections. He submitted that the position of political parties
had changed due to 20 vacant seats. He submitted that he was of the opinion that
a larger bench should hear the matter.
The court, after hearing arguments of the parties, set aside the decision of the ECP
and ordered for issuing the notification on reserved seats.
On June 2, the ECP delayed the notification of the new MPAs against the five reserved
seats until by-polls on the 20 general seats scheduled for July 17.
 on Monday ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a notification of n){kind=link}