The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a request to stop the Senate election scheduled for Wednesday on the seat left vacant after the disqualification of former Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz.
A five-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Ameenuddin Khan heard the petition seeking to halt the election. During the hearing, Barrister Gohar requested the suspension of the election schedule issued for Shibli Faraz’s seat.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi questioned the plea, stating: “When you have already nominated a candidate, then why seek a stay order?” The court subsequently rejected the request to halt the poll.
Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said the party had challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification of Shibli Faraz’s disqualification. He added that the Peshawar High Court had postponed the hearing, prompting the party to seek Supreme Court directions.
He said the Supreme Court had directed the Peshawar High Court to hear both sides and decide the case. “We also sought to stop the Senate election, but unfortunately, the election will take place tomorrow,” he added. “The court said it did not want to create further complications. We hope to get relief from the High Court once the case proceeds.”
Barrister Gohar also claimed that the ECP has no authority to disqualify a senator without a reference from the Senate chairman.
The Senate election for the vacant seat is set to be held tomorrow, with five candidates contesting.
