The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled in favor of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding reserved seats, declaring the party eligible for the quota. This decision comes in a 70-page judgment after concerns raised by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq about the implementation of a previous court order.
In the detailed ruling, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah emphasized that the Constitution allows any political party to contest elections. The court nullified the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to allocate reserved seats to other parties, criticizing the ECP for acting as a contesting party rather than a neutral body.
The judgment highlights that the ECP must fulfill its role in maintaining free and fair elections and must recognize its critical position in a democracy. The court stated that when significant mistakes are made by the ECP, judicial intervention is necessary.
Regarding the PTI’s status, the court clarified that the absence of an electoral symbol does not hinder a party’s right to participate in elections. The ECP’s earlier decision, which revoked the PTI’s electoral symbol due to irregularities, was deemed unconstitutional.
The judgment also criticized how the ECP had labeled PTI candidates as independents in election forms. It reinforced that the PTI remains a registered political party, regardless of any intra-party election issues.
The ruling is seen as a vital step in ensuring that the PTI’s rights and the electoral process are respected, reaffirming the importance of democratic principles.