NA-131 recount: LHC bars ECP from issuing Imran Khan's victory notification
Saad Rafique says Imran Khan favors reopening of constituencies in public
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan thumping victory in NA-131 in July 25 general election and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saad Rafique’s plea for a recount, Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday barred the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from issuing notification of the PTI chairman’s success.
Announcing reserved verdict on PML-N leader’s plea, LHC ordered to recount votes in NA-131 Lahore constituency where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan defeated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on July 25 general election.
Know More: Imran Khan retains lead against Kh Saad in NA-131 recount
LHC judge Justice Mamoonur Rasheed barred the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from issuing notification of PTI chairman Imran Khan’s success NA-131 Lahore constituency.
The LHC had reserved verdict on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saad Rafique’s plea to recount votes in NA-131 Lahore constituency.
On the other hand, former Railways Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique took a jibe at PM-in-waiting Imran Khan over his ‘dual behavior’ pertaining to recount in constituencies.
Know More: Pakistan Election 2018 results: Party positions and list of winning candidates
Talking to media in Lahore, he said: “Imran Khan favors reopening of constituencies in public but his legal team does the opposite in the courts”, regretted Saad Rafique.
Rafique told media persons that he wanted Imran Khan to retain NA-131 seat. “If Imran Khan swears in as country’s premier, he would be de-seat by the election tribunal”, predicted Rafique.
Read Also: Pakistan Election 2018: ECP releases final results, PTI tops with 116 seats
Calling for reopening all constituencies of Pakistan for recounting, Rafique equated General Elections 2018 with ‘selection’.
Previously, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) upheld victory of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in NA-31 recount.
Votes of Khajawa Saad soared by just 125 in recount whereas those of Khan augmented by just 50, thus resulting in victory of the PTI chairman.
Read More: 2018 Pakistan election results: List of winning candidates of PTI
In a major upset on July 25, Khan thrashed PML-N’s strong candidate Khawaja Saad Rafique in NA-131 while clean sweeping four other constituencies.
According to election results, Imran Khan obtained 84,313 votes in a nail-biting contest against Saad Rafique who secured 83,633 votes.
The importance of Lahore NA-131 constituency rose when PTI chairman Imran Khan entered race from the constituency along with PML-N s Khawaja Saad Rafique.
A total 16 candidates were in the race from this constituency. They include Jawwad Ahmed (Barabri Party of Pakistan), Khawaja Saad Rafique (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz), Zaiba Ehsan (Pakistan Muslim League), Shoaibullah Cheema (Independent), Tahir Aslam (Pakistan Sunni Tehreek), Asim Mehmood (Pakistan People’s Party), Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi (PTI), Faheem Ahmed Khan Lodhi (Independent), Muhammad Jahangir Dogar (Independent), Muhammad Mudasir (Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party), Muzaffar Ali (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf –Gulalai), Mian Zahid Islam Anjum (Independent), Nadeem Ahmed (Independent), Waqar Nadeem Warraich (Muttahida Majlis –e-Amal Pakistan) and Humayun Akhtar Khan (Independent).
The NA-131 has a total population of 7,72,182 and mostly covers the posh areas of RA Bazar, Nishat Colony, Cavalry, Walton, Defence, Kamahan, Bedian Road, Airport, Bhatta Chowk and Chungi Amar Sadhu.
Following the 6th population census conducted in the country, the list of delimitation was issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in which the share of Punjab was decreased by seven seats but one seat was added in the share of Lahore. NA-131 was added to the city, raising the number of constituencies from 13 to 14.
On the other hand, PTI and PML-N had also launched an aggressive campaign in the area. PTI Lahore President Waleed Iqbal was the campaign in-charge in NA-131.
