The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a review petition of Sumaira Malik of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) against the orders for reelection on the seats of chairman and vice-chairman of District Council Khushab. A three-member bench comprising Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah held that no legal point was raised by the petitioner in her review petition, on whose basis earlier decision could be reviewed.
Justice Mushir Alam noted that sanctity of vote was not observed in the election of chairman District Council Khushab. Mubeen Uddin Qazi, counsel for Sumaira Malik contended that the sanctity of vote was not violated in the election of chairman District Council Khushab, which was also evident from the statement of presiding officer, that is available on record.
Justice Mushir Alam observed that it is to be reviewed by the court whether or not sanctity of vote has been observed in the election. Justice Qazi Faez Isa noted that it was on record that sanctity of vote was not considered in the local bodies' election in Khushab.
The Supreme Court in May 2018 had nullified the election of chairman and vice chairman of District Council Khushab and ordered reelection on both the seats.
Consequently, Sumaira Malik, who was serving as the chairperson District Council Khushab, had to quit. This was the second disqualification of Sumaira Malik by the Supreme Court in a span of five years. Earlier in October 2013, she was disqualified by the Supreme Court over possessing a fake degree. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in December 2017 had annulled the election of Sumaira Malik to the office of Khushab District Council chairperson by a majority decision of three to one.
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