SC orders ECP to redress PTI level-playing field complaints

Author: Agencies

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to remove reservations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the lack of a level playing field in the run-up to general elections.

The instructions were also passed to provincial inspector generals of police and government officials to not harass the party’s candidates and asked Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Awan to play his role in the matter.

A three-member bench of the apex court led by acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah passed the directives. The court further ordered the electoral body to resolve any complaints that members of the former ruling party have and to ensure they are able to submit their nomination papers without any hurdles. “The party’s concerns about not having a level playing field seem valid, considering that the events at Usman Dar’s residence were also reported in newspapers,” said Justice Minallah and questioned why a single political party was being targetted. Pointing towards ECP officials, he said that their conduct “suggests that there is no level playing field”.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that the ECP should meet the political parties immediately, also directing the PTI leaders to meet with the electoral watchdog today.

Later, the apex court disposed of the petition.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Pakistan

Top Chinese military official lauds Pakistan’s counter-terror efforts

General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), has commended the Pakistan…

7 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Punjab CM thanks people for rejecting ‘disruptors’

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed her gratitude to the people of…

7 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Belarus president winds up 3-day Pakistan visit

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko on Wednesday departed after completing a three-day official visit to…

7 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Kurram tribal clashes rage as death toll surges past 100

The recent clashes between the two warring sides in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kurram district continued…

7 hours ago
  • Pakistan

US lawmakers, Amnesty decry ‘crackdown’ on PTI protesters

A number of United States' lawmakers along with Amnesty International have voiced support for demonstrators…

7 hours ago
  • World

Hamas signals willingness for ceasefire in Gaza after Lebanon

Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a senior official in…

7 hours ago