The Islamabad High Court declared the Election Commission’s decision to transfer election tribunal cases unlawful.
Chief Justice Aamir Farooq, presiding over the hearing, summoned the related records and paused the proceedings until 2 PM for further review.
During the session, Chief Justice Farooq criticized the Election Commission for bypassing necessary legal procedures and attempting to make unilateral decisions without appropriate judicial oversight. He highlighted that the commission lacked the authority to transfer election petitions and should have consulted the Supreme Court.
Justice Tariq Mahmood Jehangiri, expressing concern over potential bias, stated that if any prejudice was involved, it must be demonstrated, or the commission’s decision would stand incorrect. He warned that failing to substantiate claims of bias could lead to contempt of court proceedings.
The court’s frustration was evident when Chief Justice Farooq addressed the discrepancies in the notification process of new tribunals, which were reported in the media but were not officially documented or communicated to the involved parties.
The session ended with Chief Justice Farooq admonishing the Election Commission for not adhering to procedural integrity and respecting the high court’s authority, hinting at possibly initiating contempt proceedings if the commission’s actions violated legal standards.
