Daily Times

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging the formation of election tribunals in Punjab.

PTI leader Salman Akram Raja submitted the petition, seeking a review of the Supreme Court’s 30 September ruling on tribunal appointments, arguing that a meeting between the Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice and the chief election commissioner should not influence tribunal changes.

Raja’s petition claims that only the chief justice holds the authority to appoint tribunal judges, a power that should remain independent of external influences.

He noted that the LHC’s Registrar initially appointed six tribunal judges in April, but those appointments were later reversed after a meeting between the court’s chief justice and the chief election commissioner.

On June 12, the top court issued a ruling where it nullified an LHC single-bench decision favouring the ECP’s stance.

Former CJP Qazi Faez Isa led a five-member bench in issuing the unanimous decision, with Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Aqeel Abbasi adding notes stressing caution in disputes involving constitutional institutions.

The PTI’s appeal underscores the need for a comprehensive review to protect judicial autonomy and prevent any influence on tribunal appointments from executive figures.

On Monday, the PTI filed a contempt of court petition against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Supreme Court, accusing the commission of failing to implement the top court’s reserved seats ruling.