SC directs to conduct election in NA-60 constituency

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday has directed Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct polls in NA-60 constituency (Rawalpindi-IV).

Following the decision, Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rashid withdrew his petition against the delay in elections in the constituency.

Speaking to media, the AML leader said that the nation wants change which can only be delivered by Imran Khan.

“Khan’s victory is the win of the nation. Rashid Shafiq will contest election from our side in NA-60. One of my contenders was disqualified while the other withdrew in my support,” told Rashid.

On July 22, the ECP postponed polling in the NA-60 constituency due to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Hanif Abbasi’s disqualification by the Control of Narcotics Substances (CNS) Court of Rawalpindi a day earlier.

Rashid challenged the polls deferral in Lahore High Court and Supreme Court however; both his petitions were rejected, on the basis that it is practically impossible to hold elections in NA-60 on July 25.

According to the ECP, it would take a lot of time to print new ballot papers for the 700,000 voters residing in the constituency.

The chief justice had also advised Rashid to wait and contest a ‘fair’ election instead of winning on a walkover, "not for himself but for the sake of voters".