ISLAMABAD: Citizen Mian Shabbir Ahmed has lodged a petition with the Lahore registry of the Supreme Court, naming the chief election commissioner and others as respondents, citing widespread rigging across the country during the recent general elections.
The petition highlights a government official’s public admission of rigging, underlining the necessity for a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. The petitioner’s legal representative has urged the inclusion of all election-related officials in the investigation, emphasizing adherence to legal procedures.
Emphasizing the safeguarding of citizens’ fundamental rights, the petition calls for an inquiry into the alleged electoral fraud.
In a separate development, the Supreme Court’s principal seat in Islamabad heard an earlier petition filed against alleged election rigging. However, the petitioner, Brigadier (retd) Ali Khan, was absent during the hearing and subsequently submitted an application to withdraw the petition.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa directed the police to locate and present the petitioner, affirming that the apex court would not tolerate petitions filed solely for publicity.
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Isa, commenced the hearing on the petition. Brigadier (retd) Ali Khan had sought to nullify the election results through his petition but opted not to appear in court, instead submitting an application for withdrawal.
Expressing skepticism over the motives behind such petitions, the chief justice questioned the intentions behind filing petitions for fame.
Subsequently, the court instructed the additional attorney general to ensure the petitioner’s presence at all costs.
