IHC stops by-election on seat of Muhammad Mian Soomro

The Islamabad High Court stopped the Election Commission from holding the by-election on the seat of Muhammad Mian Soomro.

The Speaker National Assembly had declared the seat vacant after being absent from the assembly for forty days.

The court has said that until the next hearing of the case in September, the Election Commission of Pakistan should not conduct by-elections on the seat of NA-196 Jacobabad.

A notice has been issued to the Ministry of Law, the Secretary of the National Assembly and the Election Commission and their response has also been sought.

Islamabad High Court Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the petition of Muhammad Mian Soomro.

Barrister Zainab Janjua, the petitioner’s lawyer, told the court that Muhammad Mian Soomro was elected Member of National Assembly from NA-196 Jacobabad. He is among those in PTI who did not resign.

He said that the Speaker NA declared the seat vacant after being absent from the assembly for forty days.

Barrister Zainab Janjua further told the court that the petitioner is abroad and cannot travel due to illness. The Election Commission de-notified the petitioner and announced the by-election.

Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked that the Speaker cannot issue a notice to the National Assembly, but will issue a notice to the Secretary of the Assembly. Ask your client, if there he returns home, it will be mandatory to attend the assembly session. Lest the court suspends the notification and the petitioner does not go to the assembly.