ISLAMABAD The Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chief Secretary, and Advocate General received notices from the Supreme Court on Wednesday about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea for equal rights in advance of the general elections on February 8.
The matter was heard by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and consisting of Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Musrat Hilali. The hearing was postponed to January 8.
Live broadcasts of the case hearings were available on SC’s YouTube channel and website.
Latif Khosa, a PTI attorney, made arguments on behalf of Advocate Shoaib Shaheen, the person who filed the court appeal.
The top court ordered the ECP to address the PTI’s concerns about the fairness of the previous ruling party’s plea on December 22.
Following the court’s directive, the ECP delegates met with the PTI delegation and promised to take up its concerns before the national vote on February 8.
On the other hand, the party filed a second petition on December 26 accusing the ECP of violating court orders by failing to provide fair competition.
In its appeal, it bemoaned the electoral body’s inability to carry out the high court’s orders, which, after being informed by the Punjab ECP, required the poll organizing body to attend to the PTI’s grievances.
The application cited the decision of the highest court, in reaction to the PTI’s previous petition alleging it was not given equal opportunity in the political sphere and filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, wherein it instructed the electoral board to meet with the party’s representatives and address its pertinent concerns.
In its latest suit, the party claims that the ECP secretary disregarded the high court’s December 22 decision, which allowed PTI candidates to continue being harassed and detained.
In addition, the appeal makes grave accusations against the Punjab IG, calling him the “mastermind” of the PTI crackdown and naming the ECP, interior secretary, and Inspector General Police (IGPs) of all four provinces as parties to the lawsuit.
Listening
CJP Isa chastised Khosa for utilizing the Sardar title with his name right at the beginning of the session.
The CJP voiced his disapproval of the use of titles like “Sardar,” “Nawab,” and “Peer,” saying, “Stop using words like that.”
Regarding the resolution of PTI’s level-playing field grievances, CJP Isa urged Khosa to provide proof that the ECP had disregarded the court’s orders.
In response, Khosa stated, “I have brought the CD containing all evidence,” and added that the PTI leaders were not permitted to turn in their papers for nomination.
“The entire Pakistan has seen what is happening with PTI.”
The PTI attorney was then instructed to limit his conversation to the Constitution and the law, and the CJP cautioned him against engaging in “political speech” in the courtroom.
“What does the IG and the chief secretary have to do with the election?” said the CJP.
“Do you want action against individuals or the Election Commission?” asked the CJP.
In response, Khosa stated that the Election Commission was in charge of holding fair elections.
Naturally, we assert that the Election Commission bears responsibility for it. In response, the CJP stated, “You are requesting contempt of court against the chief secretary and the IGs.”
Judge Mahar asked the number of PTI candidates whose nomination papers were accepted for seats in the national and provincial assemblies.
“You [Khosa] are only telling the rejection of the nomination papers, also tell about the approval,” he said.
“Do you want the Supreme Court to play the role of Election Commission?”
Khosa complained about the returning officials rejecting the PTI candidates’ nomination papers, which prompted the CJP to inquire.
Only one political party’s nomination papers are being turned down, according to Khosa. The CJP then voiced their disapproval, adding, “We should turn a mic towards you so that you can make a political speech.”
For redress of their objections, the CJP urged the PTI counsel to seek the appeal tribunals established in each of the nation’s high courts.
“We have said time and time again that the judiciary supports democracy and elections for all political parties,” the CJP declared.
To demonstrate how his party is being victimized, Khosa asked the chief justice to play the video he had supplied.
What kind of person would ignore the worst?
The PTI lawyer questioned, “How can anyone turn a blind eye to the worst situation prevailing in the country?” in reference to claims that equal playing fields were being denied.
Following the completion of his remarks, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing to January 8 and sent letters to the senior Punjabi authorities.
PTI attorneys provide SC with papers
The PTI provided the highest court with more documents ahead of today’s hearing that purportedly demonstrated the denial of a level playing field.
According to the documents, returning officers nominated by the ECP rejected the nomination papers of up to 668 PTI candidates.
