Connect with us

Politics

Election 2024: PTI to now play without ‘bat’

Published

on

  • Justice Ejaz Khan announces reserved verdict.
  • PHC reinstates ECP’s December 22 decision.
  • PTI to approach Supreme Court against order.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday revoked the stay order granted by its single-member bench, restoring the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to declare PTI intra-party polls null and void and stripping it of its election symbol — bat. 

A single-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Khan announced the verdict that the court had reserved hours earlier.  

Election commission’s lawyer Sikander Bashir Mohmand and PTI’s legal team — comprising Advocates Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and Qazi Anwar — appeared in the courtroom. 

In its six-page order, the PHC noted that its earlier verdict had “prima facie created hindrance in the smooth process of the election which Is to be conducted by the ECP”.

“…the interim order of this court passed in favour of the PTI is hereby recalled and consequently the Election Commission of Pakistan is directed to proceed with the election process as per its constitutional mandate.”

The electoral body had filed a review petition at the high court against the PHC’s December 26 decision, which had suspended the ECP’s order and restored the party’s ‘bat’ symbol till a final decision on the matter.

The ECP, in its order on December 22, had declared PTI’s intra-party polls “illegal” and stripped it of using the ‘bat’ symbol. 

Following its order, the former ruling party approached the PHC, seeking to restore its electoral symbol ahead of the general elections slated for February 8, as it is a major voter driving force.

In its petition, the ECP requested the court review the PTI’s intra-party elections and its decision related to the election symbol.

A PTI supporter holds the partys flags in this AFP file image.
A PTI supporter holds the party’s flags in this AFP file image.

Barrister Asad Rahim Khan told Geo.tv that following the setback in the PHC, the party can still knock on the doors of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“[However, PTI] also has a division bench hearing in the PHC on the 9th. Depending on that decision, it can then go to the Supreme Court,” the legal expert added.

Talking to reporters in Rawalpindi, PTI’s former chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said his party would move the apex court after due deliberations, noting that the SC “would not let this matter slide”.

“The Supreme Court has already stated that revoking a party’s symbol is tantamount to disbanding the entire party,” the PTI leader said, hoping that his party would get relief from the top court.

Gohar noted that all PTI ticket holders would run as independent candidates if the apex court did not accept the party’s plea, however, he said today’s decision has “damaged” democracy.

The hearing

At the outset of the hearing, Advocate Anwar said that he, along with Barrister Gohar Khan, will represent the PTI in this case.

“The political parties, in the court, said that they stand with the Election Commission,” said Anwar.

At this, Justice Khan said: “We have learned from you that these things are baseless in the eyes of law as whatever happens outside the court has nothing to do with the hearing”.

“Can the ECP approach the court against the high court’s ruling?” questioned PTI’s lawyer calling the electoral body’s petition incorrect.

Advocate Anwar said that the PHC announced its verdict on December 26, however, it has not yet been implemented. “Election Commission has not yet issued the [PTI] intra-party election certificate on the website,” he added.

“Did your party file any contempt case in this matter?” asked Justice Khan.

Following this, the PTI’s counsel said that sidelining a party was not good for the ECP or the democracy.

He said that the PTI wants the ECP to conduct free and fair elections.

Advocate Anwar then inquired about the electoral body’s authority to challenge a high court order. 

Later, the ECP’s counsel told the court that the body was not removing any political party from the list but required the parties to follow its laws.

Mohmand said that the PTI did not conduct intra-party polls, hence, the party elections have been declared null and void. He requested the court to withdraw the PTI’s stay order. 

The court then reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides. 

Latest News

The public rejects repeated calls for protests and sit-ins because PTI wants to disrupt daily life. Ahsan

Published

on

By

The public rejected the elements continually calling for protests and sit-ins, according to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and the PTI’s performance today will also fail.

Speaking at a news conference in Lahore, the planning minister stated that the government is responsible for protecting people and property, and that the necessary precautions have been taken in this regard.

Because of its effective economic policies, Pakistan is on the path to prosperity and development, according to Ahsan Iqbal. He stated that a five-year strategy for economic advancement will be unveiled shortly by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

But the demonstrators have a sinister plan to sabotage this advancement for their own ends, he claimed.

PTI intends to disrupt everyday life and restore law and order in the nation, he claimed. However, he stressed, the law will not be taken into one’s own hands, and those who break it would face harsh consequences.

The PTI founder has been sentenced by the courts, according to Ahsan Iqbal, and his release can only occur legally—not through a sit-in or protest. According to him, the PTI founder will need to use the legal system to cleanse his name in every case.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan are accused of inciting the PTI’s protest confrontations on November 24.

Published

on

By

Top leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Imran Khan, the party’s founder, and his wife Bushra Bibi, are facing charges related to their alleged participation in the violent demonstrations on November 24.

The protest was found to have violated anti-terrorism regulations, leading to the first legal action after the disturbances at the Taxila police station.

In addition to major PTI members including opposition leader Omar Ayub, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, PTI’s Aleema Khan, and Senator Azam Swati, the case, which is lodged under multiple accusations, names over 300 people. The court document also names Shehryar Riaz and Taimur Masood as other leaders.

During their altercations with the police, demonstrators damaged government property, including cars and motorcycles, according to the accusation.

Another disturbing charge against the accused is the kidnapping and torture of a police driver who was allegedly detained by demonstrators before being freed.

Section 144 breach, interference with government activities, and damage to both public and private property are among the charges in the case, which is designated as No. 2594.

It is also alleged that the demonstrators caused major disturbances by obstructing roads and igniting unrest with sizable crowds.

On November 24, convoys departed for Islamabad as part of the PTI’s continuing campaign, which included the protests.

From Khyber, the convoy reached Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

Published

on

By

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on a private television station, said that the PTI is always coming to the streets, which really lessens the impact of a protest.

He also suggested to the PTI leadership that rather than carrying on with the agitation, it should finally put a hard hand down, which would be the final nail in the coffin.

He continued, citing the JUI protests as an example, saying, “We had a strong grip over our protesters and workers, so neither road was closed nor any property damage occurred during protests.”

The PTI has the right to protest, but Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the party’s agitation strategy as insufficient, stating that it is currently being “exposed which maynot be a good sign’.

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promised not to go back home unless the PTI founder was freed. During their demonstration, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, encouraged the party officials to come up with strategies to avoid being arrested.

According to an alleged audio recording, she stated that November 24 will be a loyalty test for PTI members.

Additionally, the government of Islamabad has enforced section 144 for a period of two months, which prohibits processions, rallies, demonstrations, and meetings of five or more individuals in the city.

As per the notification, the prohibition forbade meetings in any public space inside the boundaries of Islamabad, including the Red Zone, which encompasses important government buildings, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

Continue Reading

Trending