The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday declared Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) eligible for seats reserved for women and minorities, dealing a major setback to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition.
VERDICT ANNOUNCED BY 13-MEMBER BENCH
The verdict was announced by a 13-member bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The decision declared the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) previous ruling null and void, terming it unconstitutional.
COURT REJECTS ECP AND PHC DECISIONS
The Supreme Court annulled the decision of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and declared the ECP’s decision, dated March 1, 2024, as ultra vires to the Constitution, without lawful authority, and of no legal effect.
PTI CELEBRATES VICTORY, DEMANDS CEC RESIGNATION
Reacting to the verdict, PTI members lauded the top court’s decision. PTI leaders demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja for “violating the Constitution of Pakistan”.
LAW MINISTER COMMENTS ON VERDICT
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar expressed difficulty in digesting the court’s decision, stating it seemed as if Articles 51 and 106 of the Constitution had been rewritten.
