PTI presents documents containing evidence of alleged denial of equal conditions
- The PTI claims its candidates were harassed and arrested before the elections.
- SC directed ECP to address PTI’s concerns on level playing field.
- PTI submits documents to SC containing evidence.
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chief Secretary and Advocate General over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition seeking a level playing field ahead of elections. generals of February 8.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali heard the matter and adjourned the hearing of the case to January 8.
The case proceedings were broadcast live on the SC website and YouTube channel.
PTI lawyer Latif Khosa presented arguments on behalf of lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, who filed the appeal before the court.
On December 22, the high court directed the ECP to address PTI’s concerns regarding level playing field in the former ruling party’s petition.
In accordance with the court order, ECP representatives met the PTI delegation and assured them that their grievances would be addressed in the run-up to the February 8 national poll.
However, the party filed another petition on December 26, seeking contempt proceedings against the ECP for the electoral body’s alleged failure to ensure a level playing field.
In his petition, he regretted that the poll body had not implemented the high court’s directions, despite being notified by the Punjab ECP, in which it had directed the election organizing authority to address the PTI’s concerns.
The suit concerned the ruling of the high court, in response to the PTI’s earlier petition filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, complaining that it was denied equal opportunities in the political sphere, where it directed the electoral body to meet with party representatives and address their pertinent concerns.
The party, in its recent petition, maintains that the ECP secretary failed to comply with the high court verdict of December 22 as PTI candidates continued to be harassed and arrested even after the high court ruling.
Further, the statement, which names the ECP and Home Secretaries as parties in the case along with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the four provinces, also leveled serious allegations against the IG of Punjab, labeling him as the “mastermind.” “behind the repression. against the PTI.
Seeking action against those responsible for violating the court order, the party had prayed to the court to ensure that its candidates can hold rallies and political meetings.
Audience
At the beginning of the hearing, CJP Isa reprimanded Khosa for using the title Sardar with his name.
“Stop using words like Sardar, Nawab and Peer,” the CJP said while expressing displeasure over the use of such a title.
CJP Isa asked Khosa to show evidence that the ECP had violated the court’s directions regarding redressal of the PTI’s level playing field complaints.
“I have brought the CD containing all the evidence,” Khosa replied, adding that PTI leaders were not allowed to file their nomination papers.
“The whole of Pakistan has seen what is happening with the PTI.”
Given this, the CJP advised the PTI lawyer not to make “political speech” in the courtroom and asked him to speak only about the Constitution and the law.
The CJP asked if the petition accused the IG and the chief secretary of the action against the PTI leader.
“What do the IG and the chief secretary have to do with the elections?” the CJP asked.
“Do you want action to be taken against individuals or against the Election Commission?” the CJP asked.
Khosa responded that it was the responsibility of the Electoral Commission to conduct transparent elections.
“Of course, we say it is the responsibility of the Election Commission. You are seeking contempt of court against the IGs and the chief secretary,” the CJP replied.
Justice Mahar asked how many nomination papers of PTI candidates were approved in the national and provincial assembly seats.
“You [Khosa] “We only talk about the rejection of the nomination papers, we also talk about the approval,” he added.
PTI lawyers present documents before the SC
Ahead of today’s hearing, PTI submitted additional documents to the high court containing evidence of the alleged denial of equal status.
In the documents, the SC was informed that the nomination papers of as many as 668 PTI candidates were rejected by the returning officers appointed by the ECP.
As many as 56 incidents of theft of nomination papers took place, while PTI supporters and proponents were arrested in different parts of the country, the party said in the documents.
