MQM withdraws Karachi delimitation review petition

KARACHI: The Muttahaida Quami Movement (MQM) has withdrawn its petition pertaining to the delimitation of constituencies in Karachi.

A larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali was hearing the Karachi law and order case. During proceedings, Justice Jamali remarked that the apex court had not given any order regarding delimitation November 26 and 28, asking what the reason for a review petition was.

Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani remarked that the Supreme Court had expressed dissatisfaction over the reply of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on November 26 and summoned the ECP Secretary on November 28 for a clarification. The secretary informed the court that the ECP was ready for the delimitation.

Counsel for the MQM, Dr Farogh Naseem said new delimitation could not be conducted without census. Justice Jamali remarked that the matter was between the ECP and the court and the review petition had no relation to it. The Secretary ECP stated that there was no pressure from the court to redraw the constituencies.

The bench remarked that the stance of the ECP could be reviewed under the Watan Party case. Justice Usmani said that the court was there for the implementation of the Watan party case adding that there was no review petition regarding that case.

Later, MQM's review petition with the SC in connection with the delimitation of Karachi stood disposed of after the former withdrew its plea.