KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Friday moved the Sindh High Court against the directive of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold intra-party election within 20 days in order to retain its electoral symbol, bat, alleging that the move was part of an effort to keep the party away from elections.

PTI’s Sindh president Haleem Adil Shaikh and retired Justice Noorul Haq N. Qureshi through their counsel Barrister Ali Tahir filed the petition, seeking directives for respondents to give level playing field to all political parties for upcoming general elections and hold free and fair polls under judicial oversight through appointment of judicial officers as district returning officers.

Citing the federation through cabinet secretary, chief secretary and ECP as respondents, the petitioners alleged a “complete connivan­­ce” between respondents indicated an effort to oust PTI from elections. They asserted the PTI faced numerous challenges, including cases against its leadership, restrictions on freedom of speech, holding conventions and assembly and demolition of houses of party’s leaders, aimed to sideline the party from participating freely in the elections and a systematic effort to curb its influence and suppress the fundamental rights of its members.

Also, the ECP on Nov 23 ruled against the PTI, warning it of losing its electoral symbol if it did not re-conduct intra-party election within a tight 20-day time frame and submit its comprehensive report within next seven days.

The petitioners submitted that they were under severe apprehension that all such was done to give the election symbol of PTI to another “favorite” party of respondents, whereas Section 215(3) of the Elections Act, 2017 said: “An election symbol already allocated to a political party shall not be allocated to any other political party or combination of political parties”.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...