PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday adjourned until October 7 the hearing of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s petition challenging an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notice over his remarks against government officials during the Haripur by-election.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Arshad Ali and Justice Muhammad Faheem Wali heard the petition. Lawyers representing Sohail Afridi and the Election Commission appeared before the court.
The petitioner’s counsel requested an adjournment, saying that the power of attorney had been submitted only today and more time was needed.
Justice Arshad Ali remarked that such requests could not continue and issued a final warning to Sohail Afridi’s lawyers, stating that no further request for adjournment would be entertained after today.
ECP Additional Director General Law Khurram Zeshan told the court that the hearing had already been adjourned six times at the petitioner’s request. He objected to repeated requests for postponement.
According to Khurram Zeshan, the case had also been heard on its merits before the Election Commission, where no objection had been raised by Sohail Afridi. He argued that the petition was no longer maintainable.
The ECP law officer further informed the court that the Election Commission had not yet issued any decision in the case.
The court again issued a final warning to Sohail Afridi’s lawyers, making it clear that the case would not be adjourned after today. Justice Arshad Ali said that if no one appeared at the next hearing, the court would decide the matter in accordance with the law.
The court subsequently adjourned further proceedings until October 7.
