In a setback for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Lahore High Court dismissed a plea challenging the Election Commission's order declaring the party's organizational polls "unconstitutional" and revoking its cricket bat electoral symbol. The court's decision comes ahead of the upcoming general elections in Pakistan, scheduled for February 8.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had rejected PTI's intra-party elections on December 22, leading to the loss of its cricket bat symbol. The party challenged the ECP's decision in the Peshawar High Court (PHC), which initially suspended the ECP's declaration, only to later restore it on Wednesday. This decision leaves PTI candidates in limbo as they may have to contest elections "independently."
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan announced that the party would move to the Supreme Court after the PHC's verdict. He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would provide relief and emphasized that the PTI would participate in the elections, even without the cricket bat symbol. The final decision on the matter is expected to be made by the Supreme Court after the PHC's judgment on January 9.
This legal battle adds complexity to the political landscape in Pakistan, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
(With Agency Inputs)
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