Intra-party elections case: ECP directs PTI to come prepared for defence

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to prepare stronger arguments for their intra-party elections case.

A five-member bench of the Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, resumed hearing in the case whereas PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan appeared before the forum. The former information secretary Akbar S Babar was present along with other petitioners.

The Chief Election Commissioner reminded Gohar that they were supposed to present arguments. To which, the Gohar replied he had presented the details of the High Court’s orders, and requested for more time.

The CEC pointed out that this case had been pending for a year and the High Court had only stayed the verdict, and not the proceedings. Seeking more time Gohar replied, “I do not have the documents yet.” Upon this, the CEC instructed him to come prepared for arguments at the next hearing. Later, the hearing of the case was adjourned till April 22. The case of intra-party elections has been pending in the Election Commission since March 2024 and the commission has held nine hearings so far.

Taking to the media, Akbar S Babar accused PTI of deliberately delaying the case by securing staying from the Lahore High Court. “By doing this, they are undermining the rights of party workers and a vested interests’ group is occupying PTI,” he charged. He also regretted that the PTI’s politics was confined to Adiala Jail’s gate while its resources were being grossly misused. He said today the political parties are in the grip of vested interests and its solution lies in the hands of the institutions. Babar also suggested holding intra-party elections of every political party and they should be banned for refusal.