In a final attempt to reverse a recent setback, the incarcerated former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has taken its case to the Supreme Court. This move comes in response to a high court ruling that reinstated the Election Commission’s (ECP) decision to suspend PTI’s organizational polls and strip it of its iconic cricket bat electoral symbol. The Peshawar High Court (PHC) restored the ECP’s order on Wednesday, and the Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected PTI’s plea challenging the decision on Thursday.
PTI Chief Barrister Gohar Khan expressed optimism about obtaining justice, stating, “We have approached the Supreme Court to get back our election symbol, and we hope to get justice.” The Supreme Court has set the hearing for PTI’s petition on Friday.
The ECP had initially rejected PTI’s intra-party elections on December 22, resulting in the loss of its cricket bat symbol. PTI’s newly elected chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan, challenged this decision in the PHC, which temporarily suspended the ECP’s declaration on December 26. However, on Wednesday, the PHC reinstated the ECP’s order, prompting PTI to seek relief from the Supreme Court.
The cricket bat has long been a symbol associated with PTI, and losing it could lead to confusion among party supporters during elections. This confusion might arise as PTI candidates would have to contest with separate symbols, potentially affecting the party’s performance in reserved seats.
Barrister Khan expressed concern about the implications of losing the party symbol, particularly on over 225 seats in national and provincial assemblies. Without a common symbol, PTI might not secure its share in reserved seats based on proportional representation.
PTI’s petition argues that the PHC’s Wednesday order was “too harsh, irrational, and unreasonable,” emphasizing that the court did not dispose of the entire matter. The petition contends that the relief granted by the PHC was not final, as it was only operative until January 9, when a two-member panel would decide the case’s fate.
Highlighting the jurisdiction of the high court, the petition asserts that the ECP does not have the authority to challenge internal appointments within a political party or invalidate intra-party polls. It argues that the ECP, not being a “court of law,” cannot question the appointments made by a political party or examine the validity of intra-party elections.
Furthermore, PTI’s plea argues that the denial of its election symbol by the ECP has rendered the party “dysfunctional” and violated Article 17 of the Constitution. The petition urges the Supreme Court to restore the interim relief granted by the PHC in the interest of justice.
The ongoing legal battle adds uncertainty to PTI’s participation in the upcoming general elections, scheduled for February 8. Barrister Khan expressed hope that the Supreme Court would recognize the significance of the matter, emphasizing that PTI might consider running as independent candidates if the cricket bat symbol is not restored.
While PTI awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, the political landscape in Pakistan remains tense, with implications for the party’s candidates and supporters on the eve of the crucial elections.