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COURT TO INTERVENE IF ECP COMMITS ANY UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACT: CJP ECP’S CHALLENGE TO PHC DECISION ON PTI’S ELECTORAL SYMBOL’
PTI’S HAMID QUESTIONS MAINTAINABILITY OF PLEA, SAYING ECP APPEAL HAS NO LEGAL GROUND TO BE HEARD
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ISLAMABAD
BOTH ECP, AND PTI COUNSELS SEEK TIME TILL TODAY TO PREPARE FOR PRESENTING ARGUMENTS
STAFF REPORT
HIEF Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Friday observed that regulating political parties is the job of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the court will not interfere in its domain. However, if ECP commits any unconstitutional act then the court can look into it. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa made the remarks while hearing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) appeal against the Peshawar High Court (PHC) verdict restoring the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) electoral symbol — bat. The apex court’s bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarat Hilali. The proceedings of the case are being broadcast live on the SC website and YouTube channel. ECP counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan and other legal team members were present in the court as the hearing started. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Hamid Khan, Shoaib Shaheen, PTI Chief Election Commissioner Niazullah Niazi were also present. Barrister Ali Zafar joined the proceedings through video link from Lahore Registry. The ECP can file a review on appeals else there will be no worth of its decisions, the CJP remarked and added if the argument of PTI is accepted then questions will also be raised on its appeal in Peshawar High Court. The CJP Isa asked the ECP’s counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan whether the PHC’s written order had been issued or not, to which the latter replied that not yet. The lawyer then read out the PHC order that restored the PTI’s ‘bat’ symbol. He said that the ECP had not yet received “any notice” of the PHC order, to which the chief justice said, “I have not read the case file either.” The top judge asked Makhdoom Ali Khan when he would be ready to present the case, at which the counsel urged the SC to adjourn the hearing till Monday. Makhdoom further said that the political parties would be allotted electoral symbols tomorrow. Hamid Khan took the stance that his client had not received any notice as yet. The CJP said he had not
My only fault is saying absolutely not: Imran ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, quoted his client as saying that he was paying the price for unequivocally stating “absolutely not”. In an interview with Jonathan Swan of ‘Axios on HBO’ in 2021, Imran, who was prime minister at that time, had said that Pakistan would “absolutely not” allow any bases and use of its territory for any sort of action inside Afghanistan. “Absolutely not. There is no way we are going to allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not,” he had said. The term attained iconic status, emerging as a talking point among his supporters, particularly in the realm of social media discussions. “My only fault is saying absolutely not. I was told that I would be charged under the Official Secrets Act, but I stood my ground for genuine freedom,” Panjutha quoted Imran as saying after meeting him in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Panjutha shared details of his conversation with Imran Khan, quoting the PTI leader as saying that small thieves do not face any punishment, while big thieves are given a clean chit. “There is no case against those who conspired. In contrast, the one who exposed the conspiracy is being punished,” he added. Imran said that Aun Chaudhry, a former close confidante, is being presented as a witness. “The people who are trying to keep us away from elections are being presented as witnesses. What significance does such a testimony hold,” he questioned. On Toshakhana case, Imran was quoted as saying: “Our requests related to the Toshakhana case have been pending in the high court for 12 months. Neither are our requests being withdrawn nor are the cases proceeding.” Imran Khan said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has effectively ended his political career.
Fazl terms meeting with Taliban supreme leader a ‘successful’ endeavor ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
gone through the case file as yet. The CJP then asked Hamid Khan how much time he needed to advance his arguments in the case. Hamid Khan said he would be ready to present argument by Monday. The ECP counsel prayed to the court to let the commission allot election symbols on Saturday. The CJP remarked that in case of proceedings in the case to start on Monday, the court will have to suspend the PHC decision. He then said the court was ready to conduct hearing of the case even on Saturday and Sunday. Hamid then sought time till Saturday to prepare himself for the case. The ECP took the stance that PTI held its last intra-party polls in 2017. The party was bound to hold election in 2022. The ECP issued notice to the PTI for not conducting polls as per party constitution. As the CJP inquired about notification of the chief election commissioner for party’s elections, Hamid stated that he needed some time to furnish the required documents. He then requested the court to hear first arguments regarding maintainability of the ECP appeal. He said he
would give arguments that ECP appeal had no legal ground to be heard. The PTI counsel maintained that ECP could not file appeal in the Supreme Court. Only the affected party could go to the apex court and the ECP had no legal grounds to approach the court itself. The CJP asked should the ECP not defend its decision. The PTI counsel then asked could any judge file an appeal to the higher court against any verdict issued against his court. The ECP lawyer then sought time till Saturday (tomorrow) to prepare for the case. PHC VERDICT: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Wednesday got back ‘bat’ as its election symbol after the Peshawar High Court (PHC) nullified the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order to strip the party of using the ‘bat’ symbol. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf moved Peshawar High Court to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision declaring the intra-party election as null and void and revoking their electoral symbol “bat”. A two-member Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Arshad Ali announced the verdict.
Another resolution lands in Senate, seeking 3-month delay in polls ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
With the February 8 general election less than a month away, a fresh resolution was tabled on Friday in the upper house of the parliament seeking the elections be postponed for three months. On January 5, a thinly-attended session of the upper house of parliament had become the talk of the town after it adopted a resolution, albeit a non-binding one, seeking the postponement of the general elections over security and bad weather concerns. The widely panned resolution, which was not initially scheduled for discussion, was introduced by independent Senator Dilawar Khan and received support primarily from Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) senators. However, it also appeared to have the tacit support of some other parties, and the absence of lawmakers from mainstream political parties raised several questions. PPP Senator Bahramand Tangi not only kept silent at the time of the voice vote, but also delivered a speech stressing the need for peace before polls. He was later issued a
show-cause notice by his party for deviating from its policy. The passage of the resolution was subsequently condemned by politicians and lawyers, who termed it a “conspiracy against democracy” and asserted that polls be held on time. Subsequently, another resolution was submitted in the Senate by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, emphasising the need to adhere to “constitutional requirements” and ensure the timely conduct of the polls. Further, senators belonging to the PTI, PPP and Jamaat-i-Islami on Thursday requisitioned a session to discuss the timely conduct of free and fair polls. PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar submitted the requisition notice, signed by lawmakers from the three political parties, advocating for holding general elections on February 8. Today, independent Senator Hidayatullah submitted a resolution in the Senate Secretariat, which stated that the upper house of Parliament had taken note of an increase in attacks targeting candidates. It said that an increase in terrorist and armed attacks in the country, specifically in Waziristan,
Bajaur, Swabi and Turbat, had led to an elderly politician being injured and the death of a candidate. “This has created an atmosphere of fear and lack of security in the country,” the resolution said. It went on to say that threatening pamphlets were being sent to candidates’ homes and election officers. “The upper house of Parliament recognises that holding general elections is a constitutional duty. “Where the Constitution emphasises that elections must be free and fair, it also ensure the fundamental right of protecting people’s lives and property,” it said. It highlighted Article 9 (right to security of person) of the Constitution, saying that it stated that it was the state’s primary responsibility to protect people’s lives and property. The resolution urged the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court to delay general elections for three months due to current security challenges. During this time, the resolution said, the government should focus on creating an environment which guaranteed a level-playing field for all political parties and candidates.
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday confirmed he met Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhunzada and held “comprehensive and inclusive talks” on all issues. The JUI-F chief has become the second prominent figure to meet the Taliban chief following the Qatari prime minister’s meeting with him in Kandahar last year. Fazl had travelled to Kabul on Sunday along with an 11-member delegation on the Afghan interim government’s invitation after the JUI-F chief conveyed his desire to visit Afghanistan to discuss issues that had been souring ties between the two countries. During his visit, Fazl, who undertook the trip in the middle of a hectic election campaign, met key Taliban leaders, including the Afghan prime minister. It was his first trip to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s assumption of control following the US withdrawal in 2021. In an interview with Afghan National Radio and Television today, which will be aired on Saturday, Fazl confirmed meeting the Taliban chief. The interview was conducted in Kabul hours before the JUI-F chief wrapped up his six-day trip to Afghanistan, which the JUI-F has described as “highly successful”. When asked about his earlier remarks that he would travel to Kandahar to meet Akhunzada, Fazl said, “We were in contact with them for this purpose. They positively responded to us. We received their full support and I am thankful to him.” To another question regarding his meeting with the Taliban chief, he said: “Of course. I am not making hollow claims.” “We discussed all issues between the two countries,” Fazl said. “The purpose of my visit was that we do not confine ourselves to only one issue. We held comprehensive and inclusive talks. We covered all issues and exchanged suggestions for cooperation in all fields. They endorsed our stance in a very proper way,” the JUI-F chief added. Separately, in a statement on social media platform X today, the JUI-F media cell said Fazl held meeting meetings with Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and Refugee Minister Khalil ur Rehman Haqqani.
Massive protests break out in Yemen after US-UK attacks
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DUBAI
REUTERS
Tens of thousands of Yemenis gathered in several cities on Friday to hear their leaders condemn US and British strikes on their country in response to attacks by Houthi fighters on Red Sea shipping. The US and Britain carried out dozens of air strikes on Houthi military targets overnight, widening a wave of regional conflict unleashed by Israel’s war in Gaza. “Your strikes on Yemen are terrorism,” said Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, referring to the United States. “The United States is the Devil.” After Gaza’s Hamas rulers attacked Israel on Octoer 7, triggering Israel’s assault on Gaza, the Iran-aligned Houthis began attacking shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles towards Israel, saying they would not stop until Israel’s offensive stopped. The Houthis, who rule much of Yemen, said they would target all ships heading to Israel, more than 1,000 miles away, and warned international shipping companies against using Israeli ports. The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iranaligned “Axis of Resistance” that have been taking aim at Israeli and US targets since their Palestinian ally Hamas killed more than 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7. The groups hold the US, Israel’s closest ally, partly responsible for the crisis and the scope of Israel’s massive response.
Faraz, Gandapur sideline senior PTI leadership in award of tickets in KP INFIGHTING OR VESTED INTEREST ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
The new leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) is under strong criticism from the party's second and third tier leadership in award of party tickets, for [once again] ignoring the party loyalists who stood their ground in the face of extreme pressure and brutal repression. Informed sources in the PTI, requesting anonymity, told daily Pakistan Today that the party's most loyal leaders including Asad Qaisar, Ali Mohammad Khan, Atif Khan, Shahram Tarakai, Shah Farman and Shehryar Afridi were totally ignored in award of party tickets for KP Assembly. "Rather only a few individuals decided the party tickets in “blatant violation” of the
principles set by party's founding chairman Imran Khan. Shibli Faraz and Ali Amin Gandapur led the party tickets distribution process while Omar Ayub Khan and Ali Asghar Khan were also a part of the group," said a well-informed source. Another source said that Imran Khan had given clear directions to the party leadership including Barrister Gohar Khan to take onboard Ali Mohamad Khan, Shehryar Afridi, Atif Khan and Asad Qaisar etc who better understood the party cadre but all the advice were ignored on behest of Shibli Faraz and Ali Amin Gandapur who prevailed over the new leadership. "Gandapur neither awarded party tickets to Asad Qaisar, Atif Khan and Tarakai for KP Provincial Assembly, for the fear of being
the potential candidates if the party comes into a position to form government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly after the elections. He refused them tickets claiming that the party chief Imran Khan had asked not to award party tickets to anyone contesting for National Assembly and Provincial Assembly simultaneously," the source said. The source said it was interesting to note that while this rule was applied to deny KP Assembly tickets to Atif Khan, Asad Qaisar and others, Gandapur was awarded party tickets for both the National and Provincial Assembly simultaneously. "Not only Ali Amin Gandapur was awarded tickets for both the national and provincial assembly, his brother was also awarded tickets for national and provincial
assembly constituencies," the source added. Moreover, the source said that the new leader Sher Afzal Marwat was also sidelined and was not included in the consultation process despite the fact that it was one and only Marwat who had raised the party flag when entire party leadership was either underground or arrested. "Sidelining Marwat is a great disservice to the party which would haunt the party for a long time. Ignoring such a man who has been the iconic figure and raised party flag high when entire party leadership had either been arrested or had gone into hiding is very unfortunate," the source added. The source said that the party had been hijacked by a “coterie of compromised people.” Some party workers are again blaming
Gandapur for selling party tickets despite the fact that party's loyalist workers are facing worst sort of crackdown. "I fear that this all may prove to be detrimental for the party and the morale of the party's rank and file may again get affected," the source maintained, adding that the party leadership was yet to digest how Shibli Faraz had managed to avoid arrest in most critical times of the party and its workers. This scribe made repeated attempts to contact PTI leaders – Shibli Faraz, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Information Secretary Maoof Hasan to seek their comment on the issue but to no avail. Similarly, Asad Qaiser, Atif Khan and Shehram Tarakai were contacted on their cell nos but all attempts remained fruitless.