IHC puts secretary to president, others on notice.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court Wednesday issued notices to Secretary to President and other respondents in a petition against the appointment of two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing of the petition and issued notices to the respondents including the secretary to the president, principal secretary to the prime minister, the two newly appointed ECP members and the ECP.

The IHC bench said that the petitioner has sought a writ in the nature of quo warranto challenging appointment of respondent No 4 and 5 as Members of the ECP.

It noted: 'The learned counsel has inter alia, contended that the appointments have been made through notification, dated 22-8-2019, in violation of the unambiguous constitutional provisions of Article 213 (2A) read with Article 218(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973. The learned counsel has further stated that due to this grave illegality, the Chief Election Commissioner has refused to administer oath to respondents No 4 and 5.'

'Let notice be issued to the respondents for filing report and parawise comments within a fortnight. The office is further directed to issue notice to the learned Attorney General of Pakistan,' said the court order.

After issuing abovementioned directions, the court deferred hearing till September 12 in this matter.

The petitioner Jahangir Jadoon advocate challenged the notification...