Election tribunal can reinstate failed appeals on non-appearance, says LHC.

LAHORE – Justice Anwar Hussain of the Lahore High Court, who serves on an election tribunal, has made a landmark verdict indicating that electoral tribunals have the jurisdiction to reinstate appeals dropped due to non-appearance.

The court issued a thorough 16-page decision on an electoral appeal brought by independent candidate Muhammad Yar against PML-N’s Naveed Aslam in seat PP-201.

According to the verdict, Muhammad Yar’s appeal was denied in December 2024 because both the petitioner and his attorney were absent. However, the panel has reinstated the appeal and summons both sides’ attorneys to the next hearing.

The decision clarified that, under the electoral Act and other superior court decisions, electoral tribunals had complete authority to revive denied appeals. The decision relies on rulings from the Lahore High Court and other higher courts to buttress its position.
According to the written ruling, the petitioner’s lawyer was from Multan and was assigned to the Multan bench on the hearing day.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Yar had a lung illness, according to the medical document he filed. The court also recognized that seasonal circumstances, such as smog and fog in December, made travel more difficult, particularly for people with respiratory ailments.

The court also noted that the restoration claim was supported by an affidavit, which added to its legal weight. As a result, the panel reinstated the appeal and deferred further hearings until August 26.

Muhammad Yar, an independent candidate, filed an election petition challenging PML-N MPA Naveed Aslam’s election victory.