ISLAMABAD: On Monday, Acting President of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani enacted two ordinances.
One ordinance pertains to the Election Act Amendment Bill. This amendment allows retired judges, in addition to serving judges, to serve on the Election Tribunal.
Additionally, the Acting President issued an ordinance amending NAB regulations. Under this new ordinance, the remand period has been extended from 14 days to 40 days.
Moreover, the sentence for a NAB officer found guilty of filing a malicious case has been reduced from five years to two years.
Earlier on Feb 16, 24, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appointed 8 judges as appellate tribunals to dispose off election petitions for National and Provincial Assembly constituencies in both general and by-elections.
“In accordance with Section 140 of the Elections Act, 2017, the Election Commission of Pakistan, upon the recommendation of the respective chief justices, has appointed judges from various high courts to serve as election tribunals, effective immediately,” said ECP spokesman.
Five judges will serve as tribunals in Sindh province, while three will do so in Balochistan.
In Sindh province, Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha and Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, will handle petitions concerning constituencies in the Revenue Division of Karachi. Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro will dispose off petitions concerning constituencies in the Revenue Division of Sukkur and Shaheed Benazirabad.
Likewise, Justice Amjad Ali Sahito will handle petitions concerning constituencies in the Revenue Division of Mirpur Khas and Hyderabad.
Justice Muhammad Saleem Jessar will adjudicate petitions concerning constituencies in the Revenue Division of Larkana.
In Balochistan, three Election Tribunals have been established to dispose of election petitions. Justice Abdullah Baloch will preside over Election Tribunal-I, Justice Rozi Khan Barrech will handle petitions at Election Tribunal-II, and Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana will lead Election Tribunal-III.
