Sindh High Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing of the petition filed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) challenging withholding of May 12 by-election results of three national and one provincial seats in Karachi by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
When the matter was taken up, SHC's division bench comprising Justice Shabbir Ahmed and Justice Khliji Arif Hussain raised objections regarding naming of Sindh government and other candidates of by-election as respondents.
Petitioner's counsel Abul Inam sought time to file amended title of petition and the court fixed June 03, 2004 for next hearing.
Muttahida's candidates of by-election Yousuf Munir Sheikh, Abid Ali Umang, Abdul Waseem and Nisar Ahmed Panhwar, who contested the by-election from PS-127, NA-240, NA-243, and NA-246 respectively submitted they have prejudiced due to withholding of by-election results.
It was stated holding inquiry into alleged irregularities as a condition precedent before declaration of results in their respective constituencies is in violation of Section 42 of Representation of People Act, 1976.
The court was prayed to vacate the stay order of ECP and order announcing the results of by-election. The ECP on May 13, 2004 withheld the results of by-election and ordered inquiry into allegations of grave irregularities and violation of law committed during bye-elections in Karachi.