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.