Summary The notice was issued over Hamid Zaman's severe criticism on tribunal's judge.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Election tribunal on Wednesday issued contempt of court notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Hamid Zaman for criticizing their verdict regarding NA-118.
The court while taking notice of Hamid Zaman’s severe criticism on tribunal’s judge, who dismissed PTI’s NA-118 rigging plea, issued notice to him.
PTI candidate expressed reservation over appointment of new judge to hear the petition and said the decision to challenge tribunal’s order in the Supreme Court will be taken after going through the detailed verdict.
Previously, retired Justice Kazim Malik, who had deseated PML-N‘s Ayaz Sadiq from NA-122 constituency of Lahore, was hearing the petition but after Malik‘s retirement, the case was heard by Justice Rasheed Qamar.
Hamid Zaman’s media talk was shown in the courtroom whereas statement of a private TV channel’s cameraman was also recorded.
The judge remarked that no one will be allowed to trample the sanctity of the court.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till tomorrow.
Also Read: Election tribunal rejects PTI s rigging claim in NA-118
Earlier on November 25, the election tribunal announced its verdict in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) favour in the NA-118.
The decision was announced on a petition filed against the election victory of PML-N candidate Riaz Malik from NA-118 constituency of Lahore.
PTI’s Hamid Zaman, a runner-up candidate, had filed the petition alleging the PML-N candidate committed rigging in the 2013 general elections.
MNA Riaz Malik had secured 103310 votes while opposition candidate Hamid Zaman bagged 43570 in the polls.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the tribunal dismissed the petition.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won the 2013 general election with a sizeable majority while Imran Khan‘s PTI came third, its best ever showing.
The vote was largely seen as a genuine reflection of the electorate‘s will but irregularities are common in Pakistani elections.
On PTI’s complaints, election tribunals had found massive irregularities and ordered re-election in NA-122 and NA-125 constituencies, both won by the PML-N candidates.
