ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) rejected an appeal moved by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against formation of election tribunals by Lahore High Court. 

Two-member bench of Supreme Court, led by Justice Isa and Justice Naeem Afghan, heard Election Commission’s appeal. Commission’s lawyer, Sikandar Bashir and PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja appeared before court. At outset of hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressed his concerns over constant use of ordinances and tendency to create disputes in country. Justice Isa questioned whether Chief Election Commissioner and CJP could not meet to resolve disputes. He remarked that if every issue is to be made contentious, then Parliament should be shut down. He asserted that using ordinances is disregard for Parliament and violation of its authority.Chief Justice highlighted previous dispute between President and Election Commission regarding election date. He questioned need for letters from Registrar of High Court.

Turning down ECP’s plea, bench forwarded matter to SC committee for formation of larger bench.On June 12, Chief Justice Lahore High Court Malik Shahzad Ahmad had ordered constitution of eight election tribunals. Election Commission of Pakistan had challenged decision in Supreme Court.