CJP Asserts SC Not to Blame for PTI’s Loss of Symbol: CJP Isa clarified that PTI did not lose its election symbol due to a Supreme Court verdict but because it failed to hold intra-party elections. Justice Minallah called for updates on complaints about election irregularities.
Hearing on Reserved Seats: The Supreme Court was hearing a petition from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), supported by PTI-backed independents, against the Peshawar High Court’s decision to deny them reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies.
CJP’s Remarks on Intra-Party Elections: CJP Isa observed that the judgement repeatedly referenced by critics pertained to PTI’s failure to hold intra-party elections. ECP counsel Sikandar Bashir Mohmand confirmed the commission had no record of such elections.
Defense of Supreme Court Verdict: CJP Isa emphasized that one member of the bench, Justice Mussarrat Hilali, was recovering from open-heart surgery, and snide remarks against the judgement were unacceptable. He stressed that any bench should avoid discussing the judgement if a review was pending and urged critics to read the judgement first.
Justice Minallah’s Inquiry: Justice Minallah clarified that the legality of the judgement was not in question but wondered if the ECP had informed the bench about the consequences of the decision on the party’s election symbol.
Imran Khan’s Request to ECP: CJP Isa recalled that former PM Imran Khan had requested an extension for holding intra-party elections, which the ECP approved. He pointed out that PTI’s office-bearers were elected unopposed without paying the required fees.
Justice Munib Akhtar’s Question: Justice Munib Akhtar questioned why the ECP did not invoke Section 240 of the Elections Act 2017, which could have allowed PTI to retain its election symbol. The ECP lawyer replied that no application was submitted for this.
Pending Review Petition: Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted a review petition against the verdict was pending, suggesting it should be heard by the present bench.
Implications of the Verdict: Justice Akhtar highlighted that the judgement effectively prevented PTI from nominating candidates with a common election symbol, impacting their participation in the 2024 general elections. The ECP counsel argued that candidates needed to provide a declaration and a party affiliation certificate, which PTI failed to do.
CJP’s Final Note: CJP Isa reiterated that critics should read the judgement before making remarks and defended the ruling against claims it was intended to eliminate PTI from the electoral process.
