SC orders ECP to address PTI complaints about level-playing field

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to address all the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) complaints about not having level-playing field in the general elections. Upon which, the ECP and attorney general assured the court of cooperation.

Hearing the petition of the PTI seeking a level-playing field in the upcoming elections, Justice Athar Minallah said "apparently" the allegation of not having a level-playing field was valid.

Citing the raid at Usman Dar's house, Justice Athar Minallah said whatever happened at the politician’s house was reported in newspapers.

A three-member bench comprising acting chief justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Minallah and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the petition filed by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan.

The director general law of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was also present in the court. The top court directed the ECP representative to meet the PTI counsels at 3:00 pm today to address the party’s concerns.

The SC also ordered Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan to assist the ECP in the meeting with the PTI lawyers.

PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Shoaib Shaheen said Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) orders were still being issued against their leaders despite the issuance of the election schedule.

Neither the PTI candidates were being provided with the nomination papers, nor they were allowed to submit them, he claimed.

At this, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood inquired why the ECP was not taking any steps to stop the issuance of the MPO orders.

He remarked that an order would be issued to the electoral authority to redress all the complaints after reviewing them.

Lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said they should be allowed to submit the papers to the Election Commission if the returning officers did not accept them.

The apex court directed the ECP to address all their complaints. To which, the ECP and attorney general assured the court of cooperation.

Justice Shah also asked the attorney general what the solution was to all these issues. The attorney general said the ECP should seek reports from all the inspector generals and ensure that no candidate faced an issue.

Justice Masood directed all the IGs not to harass PTI candidates. The PTI’s counsel said even lawyers were being arrested from the ROs’ offices.

The acting CJP said many PTI leaders were wanted in different cases. The wanted leaders were appearing in the respective courts, replied lawyer Shoaib Shaheen.

“They are also taking protective bails from the relevant high courts, yet they are being arrested,” said the lawyer.

After hearing the arguments, SC disposed of the PTI petition pertaining to the level-playing field in the upcoming general elections.