Senate elections in KP: PHC issues notice to ECP on Swati’s petition

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI leader Azam Khan Swati seeking the holding of Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Wiqar Ahmad directed the ECP to submit its response by January 16.

During the hearing, the court dismissed the ECP’s request to keep the matter pending.

Azam Swati’s counsel, Ali Zaman, informed the court that the petition was filed to ensure the holding of Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Referring to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, he said that a revised writ petition had been submitted and requested the scheduling of the elections.

He argued that 11 Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained vacant, adding that the province did not have any representation in the Upper House of the Parliament. This, he maintained, amounted to discriminatory treatment towards the people of the province.

The ECP’s counsel informed the court that a meeting regarding the Senate elections was held on December 10 and that consultations were still ongoing.

He added that a review petition about reserved seats was pending before the Supreme Court, which could influence the timing of the elections. The ECP sought additional time to finalise its response.

Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, however, questioned the delay, considering the urgency of the matter.

While granting two weeks for the submission of the response, the court rejected the request for an indefinite postponement. The bench adjourned the hearing and directed the ECP to file its reply by January 16.