Centre gets time to reply on overseas Pakistanis' vote.

LAHORE -- The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday allowed time to the federal government to file a written reply on the matter of overseas Pakistanis' right to vote.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan was hearing petitions filed by Salman Shabbir, an overseas Pakistani living in Australia, and a local citizen, Munir Ahmad, seeking implementation of the constitutional right to vote for the overseas Pakistanis.

On the court's directions, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary Omar Hameed appeared and stated that i-voting machines had been made but funding was required for the project.

An assistant attorney general told the court that funds had been issued to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) but the plan could not materialise.

The judge observed that the right of the overseas Pakistanis would be protected and enforced at any cost.

The law officer further said that the parliament had passed a bill about voting right for the overseas Pakistanis and it was pending with the president for final assent. He said a detailed report would be filed after the final approval of the law.

Justice Khan allowed time to the law officer and adjourned the hearing till June 27.

Previously, Nadra had told the court that it required a 12-month time for design, development, testing and implementation of new solution of i-voting after a contract by the ECP.

The petitioners contended that the right to participate in the election process under the Article 17 of the Constitution could not be...