PTI shifts gear: withdraws level playing field plea from SC
CJP Isa asked if wanted to puruse the case. Khosa replied he had been instructed to withdraw the petition
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) has taken an unexpected turn by retracting its plea for a level playing field in the upcoming general elections from the Supreme Court (SC).
The party has now expressed its intent to present its case directly to the public, according to its senior leader and lawyer Latif Khosa.
Imran Khan’s party had approached the top court saying the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had failed to implement an earlier court order about providing a level playing field to all the political parties.
The PTI was seeking contempt of court proceedings against the ECP.
The petition, initially filed through lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, targeted the federal and provincial governments, along with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), as respondents.
However, PTI’s senior lawyer, Latif Khosa, shared with the media that he has been ‘instructed’ to withdraw the plea from the Supreme Court (SC).
Khosa emphasized that the party has opted to seek justice and uphold democracy through the court of public opinion.
He highlighted the challenges faced by PTI candidates in filing nomination papers, citing instances of candidates being picked up under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
Expressing dissatisfaction with the situation, Khosa questioned the legitimacy of the process, stating, “What kind of mockery is this?”
Referring to a court verdict on January 13 that impacted the allocation of seats, he asserted that the party no longer expects a level playing field.
Supreme Court disposes case
On Monday the petition was heard by the same three-member bench that heard the bat symbol appeal.
Led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the bench included Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.
However, when the hearing commenced , PTI’s counsel Latif Khosa said he wanted to withdraw the petition.
For the sake of protecting democracy and the people we want to approach the court of the people instead, he said. He added that instead of a level playing field, the entire field had been taken away from the party.
CJP Isa asked if he wanted to puruse the case. Khosa replied he had been instructed to withdraw the petition.
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Shortly before Khosha withdrew the petition, PTI Barrister Gohar Khan filed a similiar petition before the Supreme Court of Pakistan naming the chief election commissioner and the four members of the ECP as respondents.
In response to PTI’s request for withdrawal, the Supreme Court has disposed of the case.
The move by PTI signals a strategic shift as the party prepares to engage with the electorate directly.
