LAHORE: A civil court on Monday suspended the new membership of the Old Ravians Union (ORU) made during the last month of 2024 but allowed the election proceedings to continue.

Civil Judge Yasir Hafeez passed the stay order on a petition filed by Sajid Ata Goraya, the former senior vice president of the Old Ravians Union.

The petitioner, through his lawyer, contended that the new membership was to be closed on September 10,2024,asperthe schedule for election 2025.

However, he added, the chief election commissioner of the Old Ravians Union all of a suddenissued the impugned notification on December 17, 2024, extending the last date of seeking new membership till Dec 27.

The counsel argued that the impugned notification was a violation of the union`s constitution and a clear example of abuse of powers.

He pointed out that the constitution of the union clearly prohibited the registration of new membership three months prior to the filing of the nomination papers for the elections.

After hearing the argument, the judge suspended the operation of the impugned notification and the new membership list till the next date of hearing and sought replies from the defendants by Feb 12.