ISLAMABAD: After Election Commission of Pakistan greenlighted transferring Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders’ cases, Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued directives to new poll tribunals to continue their proceedings till further orders.

Orders were issued by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq while hearing petitions against ordinance for Election Act amendments. Hearing was attended by counsels representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed candidates and ECP. At outset of hearing, Justice Farooq expressed outrage over ECP’s order and remarked that decision to change election tribunals could not be upheld. High court questioned election watchdog about grounds which led it to change tribunals which were tasked to hear pleas against ruling party’s lawmakers’ election victory. To this, ECP lawyer argued that previous tribunals did not follow procedures.Justice Farooq remarked that ECP was seemingly setting new precedent by transferring tribunals.

He added that commission’s decision would not be considered legal until it proves “Discrimination”, otherwise, it could also lead to contempt proceedings. “Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri is jurist of this court who was deputed to tribunal by ECP over my request. Why did ECP transfer cases without challenging an order? Case can be transferred on grounds of discrimination but there is also procedure which needs to be followed by requesting concerned judge not to hear case,” IHC CJ observed. Counsel from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf backed candidate Advocate Shoaib Shaheen informed IHC that ECP’s decision would be challenged. Counsel sought court order to uphold status of election tribunals. Justice Farooq reprimanded ECP lawyer for not having notice’s copy which was already being circulated in media. IHC had also suspended lawmakers’ victory notifications while their petitions were being heard by election tribunals.