ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought response from the federal government, Election Commission of Pakistan, and law ministry in a plea challenging the presidential ordinance that allows voting rights overseas Pakistanis and the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Justice Amir Farooq of the IHC heard the petition of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha against allowing voting rights to overseas Pakistanis and the use of EVMs through a presidential ordiannce.

According to the petitioner the President has the power to issue ordinances in case of emergency.

The petition said that the issuance of a presidential ordinance without a state of emergency was tantamount to disrespecting parliament.

The court decided to club all the petitions challenging the presidential ordinances and forwarded the request to the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minhallah to form a divisional bench.

The court has sought response from the federal government, the ECP and the law ministry, while the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) has been directed to assist the court in the case.

Ranjha in his plea has pleaded with the court to declare the ordinance, allowing voting rights to overseas Pakistanis, null and void, stating that the government has become habitual of issuing presidential ordinances.

The federal cabinet on May 04 approved two ordinances regarding the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voting rights for overseas Pakistanis.