Pakistan SC Dismisses Plea Challenging February 8 Elections

Pakistan’s Supreme court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking the nullification of the February 8 general elections after the petitioner failed to attend two consecutive hearings.

Ali Khan, the petitioner, filed an application last week, urging the apex court to order new elections within 30 days under the direct supervision and oversight of the judiciary “to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.” He further requested a stay order to halt the formation of a new government until the case was resolved.

During the previous hearing, the Supreme Court criticized the filing of the petition and its subsequent withdrawal as an abuse of the court process. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa stated, “This court will safeguard against such manipulation.” This remark came after it was revealed that the petitioner failed to appear in court.

Today, a three-member bench, led by CJP Isa and including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, resumed hearing the petition. However, the applicant was once again absent from the courtroom.

Consequently, the apex court disposed of the plea and imposed a fine of Rs 500,000 on the petitioner.

The petition also urged the Supreme Court to order a “thorough and impartial investigation” into the alleged pre-poll rigging, election fraud, and misconduct, holding those responsible accountable for undermining the nation’s democratic foundations.

Expressing “utmost trust and confidence” in the judiciary, the petition pleaded to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and democracy and redress the grievances of the people over the alleged subversion of their democratic rights.

It further alleged that the general elections were marred by gross violations of democratic principles, including the denial of a level-playing field to all political parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Additionally, it stated that the imprisonment of PTI founder Imran Khan over “fabricated charges” and the subsequent act of depriving the party of its electoral symbol “severely undermined the democratic process.”

The plea also mentioned the revelation of widespread rigging and manipulation, which resulted in the “fraudulent” defeat of numerous PTI candidates, further undermining the credibility of the elections.

Furthermore, it argued that the consolidation of power by political entities with a history of alleged misgovernance, corruption, and incompetence posed a serious threat to democratic governance and national stability.