Islamabad:

Islamabad High Court (IHC) lifted the residence order on Friday, which had stopped the Election Commission in Pakistan (ECP) ‘s probe to alleged rigging in Na-18 Haripur, ordering the election body to continue the case after hearing all affected parties.

By announcing the reserved judgment rejected acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar petition, filed by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, who had tried to block the ECP’s investigation into the alleged irregularities.

With the stay that has now vacated, IHC has instructed the ECP to hear both sides and make a decision in accordance with the law.

Omar Ayub had challenged the ECP procedure regarding rigging requirements in his constituency and had obtained a residence order against the investigation. The former CJ Aamir Farooq had issued a residence order about the action of the ECP.

During the last hearing, Omar Ayub’s lawyer claimed that the ECP should decide the petition within 60 days, adding that at 60 days the commission procedure is illegal.

Omar Ayub had won the election by a huge margin, he said, adding that the opposite candidate also accepted Omar Ayub’s victory and even tweeted about it.

The ECP lawyer stated the court that it was Omar Ayub who originally filed a complaint about rigging on election day.

Later that evening, when Ayub was declared the winner, the opposite candidate also filed a rigging complaint. When the Commission began the procedure in both petitions, Ayub contacted High Court through a written petition.

The lawyer claimed that the Commission had not yet issued any formal action or order and requested the court to reject the petition. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its judgment on Ayub’s plea.