ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of PML-N candidate Ali Gohar Baloch for re-counting in NA-97 Faisalabad.
A two-member bench consisting of Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan conducted the hearing. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that the record should prove that the request for recount was given to the returning officer in time, you are relying on the recent decision of the Supreme Court but the Supreme Court laid down two principles in the decision, the Supreme Court said. RO cannot refuse recount when request for recount is timely.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that the Supreme Court also explained the difference in votes between the two candidates for the recount, the record nowhere proves that the request for recount came on February 9.
It is also not dated, did the Returning Officer admit in any forum that the request for recount was received. Advocate PML-N Hasan Raza said in arguments that the returning officer can even lie, to which Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that the returning officer said the recount request was an afterthought. During the hearing DG Law Muhammad Arshad appeared in the court. Justice Aminuddin Khan while talking to DG Law said what does your record say. DG Law said that according to our records, no recount application was filed on February 9.
