The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has de-notified three election tribunals comprising sitting judges of the Lahore High Court and transferred their pending election petitions to two existing tribunals headed by retired judges.

According to a notification dated February 26, 2026, the decision was taken “pursuant to letter dated 24-02-2026 received from the Registrar’s Office of the Lahore High Court.”

The de-notified tribunals were headed by:

  • Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad (Tribunal Lahore-I),
  • Justice Anwaar Hussain (Election Tribunal Lahore-IV), and
  • Justice Ch. Muhammad Iqbal (Election Tribunal for Lahore-III).

The ECP had notified eight election tribunals for Punjab constituencies in October 2024, presided by four sitting judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and as many retired judges. One of the serving judges, Justice Sarfraz Dogar, was later transferred to the Islamabad High Court.

What were the jurisdictions of these tribunals?

The jurisdiction of Election Tribunal Lahore-I presided by Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad covered national and provincial constituencies located in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Sialkot, and Wazirabad districts. Additionally, the tribunal covered six National Assembly and 12 Provincial Assembly constituencies of Lahore district.

The Election Tribunal Lahore-III presided by Justice Anwaar Hussain had jurisdiction over national and provincial constituencies in the districts of Chiniot, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, and Hafizabad.

The Election Tribunal Lahore-IV presided by Justice Ch. Muhammad Iqbal exercised jurisdiction over national and provincial constituencies in Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Vehari districts.

Read FAFEN’s 8th Update Election Tribunals Observation

Who will hear the pending petitions?

As per the ECP notification, all pending election petitions before the de-notified tribunals have been transferred to:

  • Justice (R) Mehmood Maqbool Bajwa
  • Justice (R) Rana Zahid Mehmood

Currently, Justice (R) Mehmood Maqbool Bajwa is hearing election petitions relating to national and provincial constituencies in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, and Narowal districts.

Justice (R) Rana Zahid Mehmood is adjudicating petitions concerning national and provincial constituencies of Sargodha division, in addition to eight National Assembly and 18 Provincial Assembly constituencies of Lahore district.