The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in petitions of Prime Minister Imran Khan and former minister Asad Umar, challenging the notices of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over their participation in the local government election campaign till April 25. Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC, who heard the petitions, adjourned the case, due to the absence of Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar.
The ECP had issued notices to the prime minister and Umar over their participation as public office holders in the LG election campaign. They had challenged the ECP’s notices in the IHC, stating that the ECP was not authorized to serve such notices after an amendment to the Election Act, 2017.
Separately, IHC on Wednesday extended its stay order till May 20 against a show-cause notice issued to an official of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Arslan Zafar, in connection with a case relating to the leak of data. Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case filed by the said officer challenging the show-cause notice.
At the outset of the hearing, the SECP’s lawyer informed the court that three members of his department had been retired. He prayed the court to grant more time till the appointments against vacant positions of SECP members. At this, the court granted time to the SECP for arguments till May 20 and adjourned the case.
