The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the registrar’s office to schedule separate hearing dates for appeals concerning the election results in three constituencies of the capital. This decision was made during proceedings overseen by Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, who presided over the appeals against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notified election outcomes.
In the courtroom, Justice Jahangiri emphasized the significance of obtaining certified copies of Form-45, along with the submission of affidavits from candidates and witness lists, on the next hearing date. The court acknowledged the conflicting claims from both parties, each asserting possession of complete Form-45 and their victory.
Addressing the matter, Justice Jahangiri stressed the importance of factual accuracy, warning that falsehoods could result in legal repercussions including imprisonment. The court announced its intention to subject the documents to forensic examination to verify their authenticity.
Furthermore, Justice Jahangiri insisted on the advertisement of respondents who failed to appear in national newspapers, television, and radio broadcasts. He issued a final warning to the returning officer, threatening the issuance of warrants should they fail to appear on the next scheduled date. The court emphasized the importance of sworn statements and expressed concern over the lack of responses from the respondents, warning of potential consequences if answers were not filed promptly.
To ensure due process, the court ordered the cases to be heard separately and adjourned proceedings for a later date.
