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SC ArGueS how PTI GoT eleCTIon SyMbol In 2018 wIThouT InTrA-PArTy PollS? Tuesday, 2 July, 2024 I |25 Zil-Hajj, 1445
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ECP’S COUNSEL CITES ‘PRINTING ERROR’ CONFUSING MINORITY REPRESENTATION ISLAMABAD
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TOP COURT TELLS ISSUE ‘LEGALITY’ NOT ‘OCCURRENCE’
STAFF REPORT
USTICE Jamal Mandokhail has inquired as to how the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf received an election symbol in 2018 despite not having conducting intra-party polls at that time. The question was raised on Monday during the Supreme Court (SC) hearing over the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) appeal against an ECP decision not to allocate reserved seats to it in the national and provincial legislatures. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who leads the 13-member full bench, responded to Justice Mandokhail by stating that indulging into the past matter would also bring the Senate Chairman’s election into question. Earlier during the hearing, the lawyer for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) presented four legal arguments, stating that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had not conducted intra-party elections according to the law. He argued that Barrister Gohar’s signature as a chairman on PTI tickets was invalid as there was no legal PTI organisation at the time. The party ticket bears the signature of Barrister Gohar as Chairman. At the time of issuing the ticket, Tehreek-e-Insaf did not have a legal organizational structure. The party’s organization did not exist due to the failure to conduct proper intraparty elections. Justice Mandokhail pointed out that the party tickets were issued on December 22, while the intra-party elections case decision came on January 13, during which Barrister Gohar was the Chairman. The ECP’s counsel, Sikander Bashir Mohmand mentioned that the ECP had
nullified the intra-party elections on December 23. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah noted that the ECP’s decision was suspended on December 26, while Justice Jamal Mandokhail asked for clarification on where and by whom the mistake was made. Counsel Sikandar Mehmood explained that many candidates did not mention their party affiliation, which is why they were considered independent. Justice Jamal Mandokhail emphasized that the crucial element is the party ticket; without it, a candidate will be considered independent. The Election Commission’s lawyer agreed, stating that he and the Justice were on the same page. Justice Mandokhail responded, “Tear the page, I don’t want to be on the same page.” The lawyer argued that the party tickets issued by Barrister Gohar held no legal status. Sahebzada Hamid Raza, Chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council, could have issued party tickets but did not. Raza had submitted PTI’s party
ticket with his nomination papers, although he mentioned his affiliation with the SIC, allied with PTI. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi highlighted that the returning officer had accepted Raza’s papers. The ECP’s lawyer clarified that Raza had submitted a declaration for PTI Ideological. Justice Munib Akhtar questioned the relevance of intra-party elections, while Justice Ayesha Malik noted that this situation would disturb the election schedule. The court inquired under which law PTI deserved special treatment. CJP Isa remarked that the PTI election issue had been pending with the election commission for years. Justice Akhtar noted that the issue was about the legality of the elections, not their occurrence. The lawyer mentioned that under Article 218(3), the PTI could be granted leniency, but Kanwal Shauzab’s petition was inadmissible as she was not an affected party. Lawyer Mohmand added that PTI members were not part of the SIC.
PM to depart on two-day official visit to Tajikistan today ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will pay a two-day official visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan from July 2, 2024 (Tuesday), at the invitation of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. PM Shehbaz during the visit was scheduled to meet President Emomali Rahmon, Chairman of Majlisi Namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli Mahmadtoir Zoir Zokirzoda and Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, said a Foreign Office press release. The prime minister’s visit was a part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Tajikistan. The two sides will engage in wide-ranging discussions on areas of mutual interest to further deepen
bilateral cooperation especially in the areas of regional connectivity, trade, people-to-people contacts and energy as well as cooperation on
multilateral issues. The two sides will also sign agreements and MoUs in diverse areas of cooperation.
hike in electricity prices,” stated Ajmal Baloch, President of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran. “Soon, the rulers will be held accountable by the people,” he warned. “The prime minister, who says our budget is made by the IMF,
should resign immediately,” Baloch asserted. “There are twelve-hour power outages in the country. The same companies you make agreements with are responsible for generating electricity,” he added.
LAHORE
to the current economic pressures. He accused the current leadership of exploiting the nation’s resources and urged the public to participate in the upcoming sit-in to demand their rights. The JI leader called on the government to reduce power tariffs and tax rates. He also pointed out the disparity in tax contributions, noting that while the salaried class paid Rs 360 billion in taxes, the feudal class contributed only Rs 4 billion. This discrepancy, according to Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, underscores the need for a more equitable tax system, particularly concerning the burdens placed on different segments of society.
Nationwide protests erupt against tax hikes, electricity price increase ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Traders in all major urban centres of the country staged protests against the government’s decision to increase taxes and electricity prices in the upcoming fiscal year. In Islamabad, traders, responding to a call by the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, staged a major protest at Aabpara Chowk, blocking the main road. Heavy police presence was deployed to disperse the demonstrators as trader caravans from across the city converged at Aabpara Chowk. A large police presence was deployed as convoys of traders led by leaders from various markets across Islamabad arrived to protest against the government’s tax increases and electricity price hikes. Chanting slogans against the government, protesters held banners and electricity bills. “This is purely a traders’ protest; no political party is allowed to claim it,” declared Aabpara Market General Secretary Akhtar Abbasi. “I am a member of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz, but we have put politics aside for the public interest. We have raised our voices against the exorbitant increase in electricity bills for the sake of the poor,” Abbasi added. Traders chanted slogans rejecting high electricity prices. “Traders nationwide are protesting the significant
JI announces July 12 sit-in over increased taxes and power costs INP
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has scheduled a sit-in protest in Islamabad on July 12 to voice opposition against rising electricity bills and tax increases. During a press conference in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman Butt expressed his disapproval of the government’s fiscal policies for the 2024-25 budget, which include heightened taxes and electricity tariffs. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman highlighted the growing disillusionment among Pakistan’s youth, noting that many are emigrating in search of better opportunities due
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Justice Yahya Afridi stated that six candidates were declared independent by the ECP. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah asked if PTI candidates could be given three days to join the party, which the lawyer deemed impossible. Justice Athar Minallah pointed out that no party registration was cancelled by the Supreme Court’s decision. Lawyer Kamran Murtaza supported the ECP, noting a “printing error” that confused minority representation. After the ECP’s arguments, PTI Chairperson Barrister Gohar took the stand, stating that he had submitted both party and independent nomination papers, and accused the ECP of hiding documents from the court. Assistant lawyer Kamran Murtaza stated that JUI-F agreed with the ECP’s arguments. PPP’s lawyer Shehzad Shaukat adopted the arguments of Makhdoom Ali Khan. Kamran Murtaza clarified that there was a misunderstanding regarding minority representation in the party. Justice Mandokhail questioned the election commission’s correctness, and Murtaza confirmed their support for the constitutional institution. PML-N’s Barrister Haris Azmat submitted written arguments to the court. The ECP on December 22, 2023 stripped the PTI of its election symbol in view of irregularities in its intra-party polls. The Supreme Court on January 13 upheld the ECP order, forcing the PTI candidates to contest the February 8 general elections as independents. These independent returned candidates joined the SIC after the announcement of official election results. The SIC later sought reserved seats in the parliament and provincial assemblies in proportion to its general seats.
ATC court issues non bailable warrants for arrest of CM Gandapur ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for KhyberPakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Express News reported. The warrant was issued by Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, who presided over the hearing of cases registered at the Sangjani and I-9 police stations against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and others. Ali Nawaz Awan, Wasif Qayyum, Amir Kiani, and others appeared in court, while exemption pleas were filed on behalf of Chief Minister Gandapur and Amir Mughal. The court expressed dissatisfaction with Gandapur’s repeated absences since April 2024, stating that warrants would be issued for all absent defendants. “The situation has become a spectacle; one defendant appears while two do not. We are issuing arrest warrants for all absent defendants,” remarked Judge Supra. He further warned that defendants absent on July 8 would be declared fugitives, emphasising that the usual 30-day period is not mandatory for declaring someone a fugitive. “These cases must be concluded, which will ultimately benefit you,” he added. The judge assured that if the cases have merit, they will proceed; otherwise, they will be dismissed, and daily hearings will commence after July 8. The court rejected Gandapur’s exemption plea and issued his non-bail-able arrest warrant. Additionally, the court requested a written response from the superintendent of Adiala Jail regarding the PTI founder’s appearance via video link, adjourning the hearings of both cases until July 8.