PTI’s intra-party election: PHC stops ECP from issuing final decision

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday stopped the Election Commission of Pakistan from taking a final decision on its notice to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the completion of necessary documents for issuing certificates after the intra-party election.

A two-member bench consisting of Justice Shakeel Ahmed and Justice Faheem Wali heard the writ petition and adjourned the proceedings till December 19. Lawyers Shah Faisal Uthmankhel, Syed Sikandar, Shah Naumanul Haq Kakakhel and others appeared before the court.

Barrister Gohar Ali told the court that the intra-party elections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf were held in Peshawar on December 2, in which he was elected unopposed as the party chairman. He said PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar had filed an application in the Election Commission of Pakistan against the intra-party election although he was not a member of the party.

He told the court that Section 208 and 209 of Election Act 2017 provided for intra-party election, which was held every five years. He said the PTI intra-party election was held under the PTI constitution and in the light of the orders of Election Commission of Pakistan. The Peshawar High Court has stopped the Election Commission of Pakistan from taking a final decision on the notice the election watchdog had sent to the PTI. After hearing arguments, the court adjourned the proceedings and fixed December 19 for the next hearing of the case.