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SC issues notices to top Punjab officials on PTI’s plea seeking level-playing field

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  • PTI claims its candidates harrased, arrested ahead of elections.
  • SC directed ECP to address PTI’s concerns on level-playing field.
  • PTI submits documents to SC containing evidence.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP), chief secretary and advocate general on  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petition seeking level-playing field ahead of the February 8 general elections.

A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali heard the matter and adjourned the hearing of the case till January 8.

The proceedings of the case were broadcast live on SC’s website and YouTube channel.

PTI lawyer Latif Khosa presented arguments on behalf of Advocate Shoaib Shaheen, who filed the appeal in the court.

On December 22, the top court directed the ECP to address the PTI’s concerns regarding the level-playing field on the former ruling party’s petition.

In line with the court’s order, the ECP representatives met the PTI delegation and assured them of addressing its grievances in the lead up to the February 8 national vote.

However, the party filed another petition on December 26, seeking contempt of court proceedings against the ECP over the electoral body’s alleged failure to ensure a level-playing field.

In its petition, it lamented the electoral body’s failure to implement the apex court’s directions — despite being notified by the Punjab ECP — wherein it had ordered the poll organising authority to address the PTI’s concerns.

The application referred to the top court’s ruling, in response to the PTI’s earlier petition filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution complaining of being denied equal opportunities in the political arena, where it directed the electoral body to meet with the party’s representatives and address its relevant concerns.

The party, in its recent application, contends that the ECP secretary failed to abide by the apex court’s December 22 verdict as PTI candidates continued to be harassed and arrested even after the top court’s ruling.

Furthermore, the plea — which mentions the ECP and interior secretaries as parties to the case along with the Inspector General Police (IGPs) of all four provinces — also levels serious allegations against the Punjab IG, labelling him as the “mastermind” behind the crackdown against the PTI.

Seeking action against those responsible for violating the court’s order, the party had prayed to the court to ensure that its candidates are allowed to hold rallies and political gatherings.

Hearing 

At the outset of the hearing, CJP Isa reprimanded Khosa for using the Sardar title with his name.

“Stop using words like Sardar, Nawab and Peer,” the CJP said while expressing displeasure over the use of such a title.

CJP Isa asked Khosa to show evidence that the ECP had violated the court’s direction regarding the redressal of PTI’s level-playing field grievances.

“I have brought the CD containing all evidence,” Khosa replied adding that the PTI leaders were not allowed to submit their nomination papers.

“The entire Pakistan has seen what is happening with PTI.”

At this, the CJP advised the PTI counsel against making “political speech” in the courtroom and asked him to only talk about the Constitution and law.

The CJP inquired whether the petition was accusing of the IG and the chief secretary behind the actions against the PTI leader.

“What does the IG and the chief secretary have to do with the election?” the CJP wondered.

“Do you want action against individuals or the Election Commission?” the CJP asked.

Khosa replied that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission to conduct transparent elections.

“Of course, we are saying that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission. You are seeking contempt of court against IGs and the chief secretary,” the CJP said in response.

Justice Mahar inquired how many nomination papers of PTI candidates were approved from national and provincial assembly seats.

“You [Khosa] are only telling the rejection of the nomination papers, also tell about the approval,” he added.

“Do you want the Supreme Court to play the role of Election Commission?” the CJP asked after Khosa complained about rejection of PTI candidates’ nomination papers by the returning officers.

Khosa said the nomination papers of only one political party are being rejected. At which, the CJP expressed displeasure saying: “We should turn a mic towards you so that you can make a political speech.”

The CJP asked the PTI counsel to approach the appellate tribunals formed in all high courts of the country for redressal of their complaints.

“We have repeatedly stated that the courts stand behind every political party for democracy and elections,” the CJP said.

Khosa asked the chief justice to play the video submitted by him to see how his party is being victimised.

“How can anyone turn a blind eye to the worst situation prevailing in the country,” the PTI counsel said pointing towards allegations about denial of level-playing field.

After the conclusion of his arguments, the apex court issued notices to the top Punjab officials and adjourned the hearing till January 8.

PTI lawyers submit documents to SC

Ahead of the hearing today, the PTI submitted additional documents containing evidence of the alleged denial of level-playing field to the top court.

In the documents, the SC was informed that the nomination papers of as many as 668 PTI candidates were rejected by returning officers appointed by the ECP.

As many as 56 incidents of nomination papers’ snatching took place while seconders and proposers of the PTI were arrested in different parts of the country, the party said in the documents.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

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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.

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