Lahore High Court Chief Justice Sets Up Election Tribunals

The Lahore High Court's Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan has taken a significant step in preparation for the upcoming general election in Punjab by setting up eight election tribunals. These tribunals will be responsible for handling election petitions related to national and provincial assembly constituencies in the region.

The appointed judges to preside over these tribunals include Justice Shahid Karim, Justice Ch. Muhammad Iqbal, Justice Anwaar Hussain, Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad in Lahore, Justice Asim Hafeez in Bahawalpur, Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Raheel Kamran in Multan, and Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf in Rawalpindi.

Following a directive from a single bench of the Lahore High Court, the Election Commission of Pakistan has been instructed to appoint six additional judges nominated by the LHC chief justice as election tribunals for the 2024 general elections. The court has set a deadline for the ECP to issue the notification for these appointments within a week, failing which it will be deemed as issued. The LHC office has been tasked with the responsibility of allocating areas to the election tribunals based on the court's instructions.

Justice Shahid Karim, in a ruling on May 29, 2024, issued this order while ruling in favor of two independent candidates. It is important to note that two out of the eight election tribunals were already operational in Punjab, indicating a proactive approach by the Lahore High Court in ensuring a fair electoral process.

The establishment of these election tribunals by the Lahore High Court underscores the commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process in Punjab. By ensuring the timely appointment of judges and the efficient functioning of the tribunals, the court aims to address election-related disputes effectively and promote transparency in the upcoming general election.