Tribunal Judge
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has nullified the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to replace Election Tribunal Judge Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal tussle surrounding tribunal appointments.
The verdict was delivered by Chief Justice Amir Farooq, who had reserved the judgment following the conclusion of the case’s hearings.
This decision brings attention to the procedural aspects of how tribunal judges are appointed and replaced in Pakistan, as the court directed the Election Commission to reconsider its earlier move.
In its ruling, the IHC sent the case back to the Election Commission for a fresh decision, essentially instructing the commission to re-examine the basis on which the decision to replace Justice Jahangiri was made.
This could lead to a new outcome or the reinstatement of Justice Jahangiri, depending on how the commission reassesses the case.
The issue was brought to the IHC’s attention when petitioners Shoaib Shaheen, Aamir Mughal, and Ali Bukhari challenged the Election Commission’s decision, arguing that the removal of Justice Jahangiri was unjust and needed legal redress.
The petitioners sought the court’s intervention, highlighting concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process used to replace the tribunal judge.
By nullifying the ECP’s previous order, the Islamabad High Court has provided an opportunity for the issue to be re-examined, giving the Election Commission another chance to ensure that its decision-making process is aligned with the principles of justice and fairness.
The ruling effectively opens the door for a new resolution on the appointment of the tribunal judge, which could shape the future of judicial appointments within the election tribunals.
This ruling underscores the importance of judicial oversight in Pakistan’s election processes, ensuring that key decisions, especially those involving tribunal judges, are made transparently and fairly.
As the Election Commission prepares to take another look at the case, all eyes will be on how it navigates the legal and procedural challenges in the weeks to come.
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