IHC issues written order in Toshakhana case

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued written order in a petition seeking the provision of details of toshakhana gifts. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued the written order regarding the hearing. The court sought comments from the federal government regarding the matter within one month. However, the cabinet division had also been directed to submit its report within the same time period. The court had served notice to the cabinet division and stated that the toshakhana gifts’ details had not been shared even passing five months after the decision of the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC). It may be mentioned here that the lawyer Abuzar Sulman Niazi had approached the IHC regarding the matter. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued written order on the appeal of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in local body elections case. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued the written order regarding the hearing on the appeals against the verdict of single member bench. The court granted permission to ECP for submission of extra documents related to the court and also served notices to Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) and Jamat e Islami (JI). The court said that the petitioner had adopted the stance that it was not possible to implement the decision of single member bench. The ECP had expressed willingness to conduct LG elections on new date against 101 union councils. It was of the view that there would be effects on the elections if the law was changed during the process. The court said that there was need of further debate on the stance of petitioners. The court adjourned further hearing of the case till January 9.