In a setback to Imran Khan's party, Pakistan’s Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa ruled on Friday that the high court's order to restore the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) iconic cricket ‘bat’ symbol was prima facie flawed. The Pakistan Election Commission had moved the apex court against the Peshawar High Court (PHC) verdict that annulled its decision to declare the organisational polls in Khan’s party unconstitutional and revoked the cricket ‘bat’ electoral symbol.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Isa questioned whether the high court had declared PTI’s intra-party polls in line with the law. He stated, “The issue of the bat electoral symbol’s allotment comes later. First, we will have to review the party’s intra-party elections.” The chief justice pointed out that the PHC did not issue a declaration that PTI’s intra-party polls were in line with the law. He deemed the high court’s decision as flawed and prima facie.
The election commission had barred PTI from using its ‘bat’ symbol for the upcoming February 8 election, citing irregularities in their internal polls. The PHC initially granted temporary relief, reinstating the bat symbol, but later reversed its decision and upheld the ECP’s order. PTI, after withdrawing its appeal, sought a favorable outcome from the Supreme Court.
Justice Isa noted the importance of democracy and citizens' right to vote for a political party of their choice. He emphasized that if this right was compromised, it could lead to dictatorship on the national and local level. The hearing was adjourned till Saturday, given the time sensitivity of the matter with general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
(With Agency Inputs)
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