On Monday, the Lahore High Court took a decisive step in the aftermath of the general elections, disposing of complaints lodged against 18 successful candidates.
The individuals at the center of these legal challenges included prominent figures such as Maryam Nawaz, Awn Chaudhry, Khawaja Asif, Aleem Khan, and Atta Tarar. Justice Baqir Najafi, presiding over the cases, announced the reserved verdict and directed the petitioners to pursue their grievances through the proper channel – the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The legal scrutiny extended to other candidates as well, with petitions filed against Saif-ul-Mulook Khokhar, Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Irfan Shafi Khokhar, Malik Khalid Khokhar, Faisal Ikram, Chaudhry Muhammad Mansha, Rana Abdul Sattar, and Mian Haroon Akbar. In his ruling, Justice Najafi emphasized that any complaints of rigging or electoral malpractices should be first brought to the attention of the ECP.
This development follows the court’s earlier request for a response from the Election Commission of Pakistan on the matter. Notably, the ECP has already taken proactive measures by withholding the official notifications of more than 20 constituencies due to allegations of rigging. The court’s decision underscores the importance of adhering to due process and utilizing the established mechanisms for addressing electoral concerns, directing dissatisfied parties to the designated electoral oversight body to ensure a fair and transparent resolution of the disputes arising from the general elections.
