Islamabad (Web Desk): The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday commenced hearing on Election Commission of Pakistan’s petition challenging the Peshawar High Court's (PHC) decision restoring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election symbol of 'bat'.
A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, is hearing the case.
On Wednesday, the PHC restored the PTI’s “bat” symbol, declaring the ECP’s decision regarding the PTI’s intra-party election null and void.
A two-member PHC bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Arshad Ali announced the verdict on PTI’s petition challenging the ECP’s decision declaring the intra-party election as null and void and revoking party’s electoral symbol “bat”.
On Thursday, the ECP approached the top court and field a petition for leave to appeal under Article 185(3) of the Constitution against the PHC short order.
During the hearing today, CJP Qazi Faez Isa said that Supreme Court will not interfere in the domain of the Election Commission of Pakistan. However, if ECP commits any unconstitutional act then the court can look into it.
Advocate Hamid Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar represented the PTI, while senior counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan appeared on behalf of the ECP.
Akbar S. Babar, an estranged party member, also appeared before the court whereas PTI lawyer Ali Zafar attended the hearing via video link from the SC’s Lahore registry.
More to follow…..
