ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued another clarification that its July 12 ruling cannot be nullified by amendments to the Election Act by Parliament, which aimed to deny reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In response to a request from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the court’s eight-member bench clarified that the July 12 verdict remains in effect and that any amendments to the Election Act do not have retroactive applicability. This ensures that the ECP must comply with the court’s decision without seeking further clarification.
In its July ruling, the Supreme Court overruled the decisions of the Peshawar High Court and the ECP, declaring PTI eligible for reserved seats in the case involving the Sunni Ittehad Council. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa announced the 8-5 majority verdict, emphasizing the recognition of PTI as a legitimate political party.
The top court stated that losing an election symbol does not strip a party of its right to participate in elections. It noted that out of 80 candidates presented by the ECP, 39 were affiliated with PTI and will be recognized as its successful candidates. The remaining 41 candidates have 15 days to submit affidavits confirming their association with PTI.
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The PTI has been instructed to submit its list for reserved seats within the same timeframe. The court stated that if either the ECP or PTI requires further clarification, they may approach the court.
Moreover, the Supreme Court declared any elections for additional reserved seats null and void, ordering the ECP to issue notifications for reserved seats according to PTI’s list. This decision will apply to the National Assembly as well as the provincial assemblies in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.