LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aaliya Neelum rejected request of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) seeking reformation of election tribunals in province.

Chief Election Commissioner Sultan Akram Raja met LHC Chief Justice and requested her to reconstitute existing election tribunals, sources said. Justice Aaliya Neelum turned down CEC’s request, maintaining that present election tribunals will continue to function as usual. LHC Chief Justice said that final decision on election tribunals will be made by Supreme Court of Pakistan.  Earlier on June 20, Supreme Court rejected an appeal moved by Election Commission of Pakistan against formation of election tribunals by Lahore High Court.

Two-member bench of Supreme Court,headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa and also comprising Justice Naeem Afghan, heard Election Commission’s appeal. Commission’s lawyer, Sikandar Bashir and PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja appeared before court. 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.