Peshawar High Court (PHC), Mingora Bench on Tuesday ordered the restoration of the representatives of local bodies and revoked the Election Commission’s notification regarding their suspension. Details indicate that tehsil chairmen and other elected officials, led by Swat Mayor Shahid Ali Khan filed a lawsuit against the decision of the Election Commission.
The officials of ECP that were absent in the first proceedings, appeared in the court and pleaded for more time to submit a response. The court gave a new date of March 7 for the next hearing and announced the restoration of all local bodies’ representatives. Meanwhile Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Tuesday expressed his concern regarding the increasing trend of accused individuals appearing in court with “angry mobs”.
The practice by the accused was tantamount to get the decision of their choice, he said in a statement issued here. He also noted that this behavior sent a negative message and undermines the dignity of the judicial system. The ANP president called for an end to the new trend of using ‘angry mobs’ as a shield in the courts.
