Lahore High Court reserves verdict on PTI leader Salman Akram Raja’s election petition

The Lahore High Court has reserved its decision on the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja, challenging the election tribunal’s composition formed to hear his petition challenging the results of his 2024 election bid that ended in failure. Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad presided over the hearing and reserved the verdict.Salman Akram Raja’s petition raised objections against the election tribunal, headed by former Lahore High Court judge Rana Zahid Mehmood. The PTI leader’s lawyer, Sameer Khosa, argued the case, while Imran Arif Ranjha represented the Election Commission of Pakistan.During the proceedings, the Election Commission’s counsel requested the matter be referred to a larger bench, highlighting that a similar petition is currently being heard there. Justice Ahmed Nadeem Arshad acknowledged this argument before reserving the court’s decision.The petition contested the appointment of Rana Zahid Mehmood as the election tribunal, asserting that as a retired Additional Sessions Judge and not a High Court judge, his appointment violated the rules.The petitioner demanded the annulment of Rana Zahid Mehmood’s appointment, arguing it was contrary to the regulations governing election tribunals.