If it is accepted that there were flaws in the PTI intra-party elections, then “who are they to decide”, asks Latif Khosa
- Bilawal was elected PPP president during similar elections: PTI lawyer.
- According to the PPP, the PML-N conducted intra-party elections in a similar manner.
- Latif Khosa claims his party has been deprived of 227 reserved seats.
Harshly criticizing the election watchdog and top judiciary for stripping the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of its iconic bat symbol, former ruling party lawyer Latif Khosa has commented on who they are to decide the hierarchy within political parties.
Last week, the PTI, founded by Imran Khan, suffered a blow after the Supreme Court set aside the January 10 order of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), depriving the former ruling party of its “iconic” electoral symbol. , the bat, a few days before the February elections. 8 general elections.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, announced the verdict after a day-long hearing. The unanimous verdict of the apex court came after hours of waiting as the CJP Isa-led court decided to uphold the petition of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
During an interaction with journalists, Khosa, who had joined the PTI on the directives of jailed Imran Khan last month, said that if it is accepted that there were flaws in the PTI's intra-party elections, then “who are they to decide”.
“The PPP and PML-N have also been conducting intra-party elections following a similar pattern.”
Bilawal was elected PPP president through similar elections within the political party, he added.
When asked about any reason or point on which Justice Isa would have provided relief to the former ruling party, Khan's lawyer said his party had been deprived of 227 reserved assembly seats. “Is the ECP a director? Will the PAE monitor? [decide] Who will be the president, the general secretary or the official of the political parties?”
'I will not fight the case in CJP Isa court'
Earlier today, the PTI withdrew its plea to initiate contempt proceedings against the ECP for its alleged failure to ensure a level playing field ahead of the upcoming elections.
The PTI had filed the plea before the Supreme Court on December 26 last year. However, the highest court today dismissed the plea after the withdrawal of the petition.
During today's hearing, Khosa told CJP Isa that his party would approach the people's court over the matter. “We don't want to fight this case in your [CJP Isa’s] court. Thank you so much.”
He said the high court's January 13 verdict, which deprived the former ruling party of its 'bat' symbol, forced the party not to contest more than 230 seats.
“Do you want to continue with this case or not?” CJP Isa asked. To this, Khosa responded that he had been ordered to withdraw the statement.
“We have gone to your court to get a level playing field. The verdict that was announced on January 13 at 11.30 pm destroyed the PTI,” he said, adding that “you snatched the field from the PTI.”
The PTI lawyer argued that the ECP can only remove the electoral symbol, but that one of the parties has been excluded from parliament. “All PTI candidates will now contest as independent candidates, which will lead to confusion.”
He also told the court that the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Nazriyati (PTI-N), with whom they had reached a deal, was also “detained and forced to hold a press conference”.
To this, CJP Isa said: “If you do not accept the verdict then there is nothing to do.” [court] can do.”
He added that the ECP continuously ordered the PTI to conduct polls within the party but they were yet to be carried out.
“You are destroying all the institutions of Pakistan,” the CJP told Khosa.
