On Monday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) withdrew its petition from the Supreme Court that sought a fair electoral environment for the upcoming general elections.
A three-judge panel of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali, presided over the case.
During Monday’s hearing, PTI’s counsel Sardar Latif Khosa stated that the party preferred to appeal to the people for the preservation of democracy. He expressed gratitude to CJP Isa, saying, “Thank you very much.”
CJP Qazi Faez Isa asked, “Do you want to continue with the case or not?” The PTI lawyer responded that he had been instructed to withdraw the application, emphasizing that they approached the court seeking a level playing field for fair and transparent elections. He remarked on the symbolic allocations such as glass, eggplant, and bowl, feeling humiliated by the process.
“We have been humiliated,” the lawyer said, adding that while the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) could revoke the party’s electoral symbol, it seemed the political party was being excluded from parliamentary politics.
In response, CJP Isa asserted that accepting or rejecting the court’s decision was the party’s choice, and judges should not be held responsible for the verdict. CJP Isa also mentioned their repeated requests for evidence of intra-party elections, stating that the court could issue orders but could not act as the government.
The Plea:
The PTI’s petition lamented the failure of the electoral body to implement the top court’s directives, ordering the poll organizing authority to address PTI’s concerns about the lack of a level playing field.
The application referred to the top court’s December 22 ruling, responding to the PTI’s petition filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, alleging denial of equal opportunities in the political arena. The court directed the electoral body to meet with the party’s representatives and address their concerns.
On December 22, the ECP met with a PTI delegation, assuring a level playing field for the February 8 polls. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and other officials reassured the replacement of returning officers (ROs) and police officers causing problems for the party.
However, the PTI argued that the ECP secretary failed to comply with the apex court’s verdict, with PTI candidates facing harassment and arrests even after the ruling.
Seeking action against those violating the court’s order, the party prayed for the court’s intervention to ensure its candidates could hold rallies and political gatherings, creating a level playing field ahead of the February 8 polls.