Pakistan: HC Initiates Hearing on PTI Plea Challenging Symbol Revocation

Peshawar High Court (PHC) begins to hear the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition disputing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) declaration of its intra-party polls as unconstitutional and the subsequent revocation of the “bat” symbol. Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel was presiding the proceedings.

This legal development follows the ECP’s recent decision to invalidate PTI’s internal elections, where Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was elected as the party’s new chairman, for the second time in less than a month.

The ECP, in a detailed 11-page order, cited non-compliance with its directives and failure to conduct intra-party elections in accordance with PTI’s prevailing Constitution (2019) and Election Act (2017).

PTI denounced the decision as part of the “famous London Plan” and a “disgusting and shameful attempt” to prevent PTI from participating in the upcoming elections.

The party affirmed its intention to appeal the decision at every available forum, expressing confidence in contesting the polls with the ‘bat’ symbol.

During the hearing, PTI counsel Barrister Ali Zafar argued that the usual process involves the issuance of a certificate by the ECP and its publication on the commission’s website when a party provides intra-party poll details.

Ali Zafar pointed out that, currently, no such certificate has been uploaded to the ECP website.

Simultaneously, PTI has challenged the ECP order in court, asserting that it was “without legal authority and jurisdiction.”

The party contends that the ECP’s scrutiny of its intra-party polls lacked jurisdiction and lawful authority.

PTI urged the court to direct the ECP to publish the poll results on its website and reinstate the party’s symbol.

Barrister Gohar, speaking after the petition submission, raised concerns about the fate of 225 reserved seats if a party is barred from participating in elections under its designated symbol.

He stressed the broader significance of the matter, affecting 250 million people, and expressed frustration at what he perceived as a lack of a level playing field.