The Supreme Court on Friday instructed the Election Commission of Pakistan to remove the PTI’s reservations regarding a lack of a level playing field in the run up to the February 8 general election.
The top court directed the PTI to submit its complaint with the ECP and ordered Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan to play his role in the matter. The directives were issued as a three-member bench, comprising Justices Sardar Tariq Masood, Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali, heard the party’s plea seeking level playing field in the elections.
Ahead of the hearing, the apex court had summoned AGP Awan as well as the electoral watchdog. As the court initiated the proceedings, it instructed the AGP to act as a facilitator in the matter.
In response to PTI’s apprehensions, Justice Minallah remarked, “The party’s concerns about not having a level playing field seem valid, considering that the events at Usman Dar’s residence were also reported in newspapers.”
He questioned why a single political party was being cornered. “An election is being held on one front, and here you are holding proceedings at Adiala Jail,” Justice Minallah remarked, pointing towards the ECP officials.
“Is this the manner in which you conduct yourselves? You are entrusted with the responsibility of holding elections,” the judge observed. He went on to say, “Your conduct suggests there is no level playing field.” “Why isn’t the ECP putting a stop to orders issued under the Maintenance of Public Order?” Justice Masood inquired.
Meanwhile, PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said on Friday that the Election Commission of Pakistan had assured the party that it would address the party’s concerns regarding a lack of a level playing field in the run up to the February 8 general election.
He made the remarks after a PTI delegation met with the ECP in Islamabad following the directives issued by the Supreme Court earlier in the day.
Speaking to the media after meeting with the ECP, Shaheen said: “They (ECP officials) have promised that the grievances will be addressed.”
