Pakistan: Imran Khan's party PTI to approach court to regain poll symbol

According to Geo News, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced that they would file an appeal with the Peshawar High Court (PHC) or the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to remove the former party’s emblem, “Bat.”

The declaration was made on Saturday by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

According to the Dawn daily, the ECP ruled on Friday not to allow the PTI to continue using its “bat” electoral emblem for the general election scheduled for February 8.

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) had ordered the electoral watchdog to make a decision on the PTI’s intra-party polls and electoral symbol by Friday in “accordance with the law.” The ECP’s decision was made public a day later.

Speaking to the media outside of Adiala Jail, Gohar stated that the PTI would file a petition on Tuesday morning to reclaim the use of the “bat” as an electoral symbol and that the consultation process was almost finished, according to a report by Geo News.

The PTI leader stated that all of their efforts were focused on denying his party the 227 reserved seats, without mentioning the ECP. He added that the recent order by the ECP was the result of a conspiracy.

Gohar declared, “There are currently 70 reserved seats in the National Assembly,” one day earlier. There are 227 reserved seats in Pakistan overall. Parties with election emblems share the seats according to the strength of their parties in the assembly.

Importantly, according to Geo News, the MPs chosen for reserved seats are crucial in the elections for president, prime minister, chief minister, and Senate chairman.

“The ECP’s order cannot be upheld. In response to a reporter’s question, Gohar stated that it is contradictory.

He expressed confidence that the PTI, should they decide to challenge the order in court, would receive the relief they want.

“The electoral symbol of the (PTI) will be reinstated,” Gohar, who is a lawyer as well, declared. The leader of the PTI stated that his party was awaiting the official ECP copy.

In response to another question, Gohar stated that the PTI may use Article 184 of the Constitution to appeal the ECP’s ruling in the Supreme Court, as reported by Geo News.

The attorney stated, “Imran Khan was, is, and will continue to be the PTI chairman,” and he was carrying out his duties as designated by Khan.

Gohar further stated that he will keep carrying out the party’s obligations in his current capacity till PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is released from prison.

Gohar warned that unjust elections will cause instability and chaos throughout the nation.

(With agency inputs)