A division bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday adjourned hearing of intra court appeals against the LHC single bench decision of postponing by-elections in Punjab, till Tuesday. Justice Umer Ata Bandial while heading the bench remarked that the main hindrance in resolving this issue is Punjab Government's claim of having a vested right to be heard by CEC.
The judge said elections could not be delayed for infinite time. Haris said the CEC could gather information from other law enforcing and security agencies to assess the law and order situation. At this, the court said there was war like situation in the country and in these circumstances law enforcement agencies could not present a rosy picture.
While Haris was on his legs, the court adjourned hearing due to lack of time. A single bench comprising Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on October 9 while accepting Punjab government's plea had postponed the by-elections in Punjab on security grounds.
Muhammad Azhar Siddique advocate, a candidate for NA-123 and Chief Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid, a contestant from NA-55, have filed intra court appeals against that order. They have therefore prayed the court to set aside the single bench orders and direct CEC to hold the elections in the said constituencies.