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Despite losing ‘bat’ symbol, PTI still among ‘enlisted political parties’ of ECP

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10 months ago

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  • PTI among “enlisted political parties” on ECP website.
  • Registration gets cancelled with withdrawal of symbol: Dilshad.
  • PTI barred from contesting in election as political party: former AGP.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) lost its election symbol but continues to be recognised as a political party by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In its official website, the ECP in the list of its “enlisted political parties”, shows the PTI at serial number 99. The ECP website was visited on Monday evening. Does it mean that the PTI candidates, who after losing the party’s election symbol are contesting elections as independent candidates, after winning the polls would have the option of officially joining or representing PTI in the National and provincial assemblies?

Former attorney general and senior lawyer Anwar Mansoor when approached said that the PTI has been barred from contesting in the election as a political party but it has not been deregistered and is still being recognised as a political party by the ECP.

Mansoor said that although after having been deprived of its election symbol, the PTI candidates can only contest as independent candidates, after the elections those elected as independents have the option of joining PTI. The former attorney general added that the PTI as a political party can be represented in the next Parliament by those opting to join it after winning the elections as independent candidates.

Former secretary ECP Kanwar Dilshad, when approached, was surprised to find the PTI still on the ECP’s list of “Enlisted Political Parties”. He said that in his view the political party that loses its election symbol, also loses its official status as a political party. “The political party’s registration with the ECP gets cancelled with the withdrawal of the election symbol,” he said, adding that those who are elected as independent candidates cannot join the PTI.

For Dilshad the PTI lost its entity as an officially recognised political party by the ECP but Mansoor insists that there are some other legal provisions which talk about dissolution or deregistration of political party on the basis of a formal reference. ECP spokesman was approached but neither did he attend The News call nor did respond to a Whatsapp message.

Section 215 of the Election Act 2017, which was invoked by the ECP to withdraw PTI’s election symbol, envisages that if the political party fails to comply with the provision of section 209 or section 210, the Commission may after affording it or then an opportunity of being heard, declare it or then ineligible to obtain an election symbol for election to Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), Provincial Assembly or a local government, and the Commission shall not allocate an election symbol to such political party or combination of political parties in subsequent elections.

The said section does not talk about the dissolution or de-registration of the political party but only refers to withdrawal of election symbol for “subsequent elections”. The law and constitution are silent on whether or not independent candidates, belonging to a political party that has lost its election symbol, in case of winning the elections can join such a party in Parliament after having been notified as successful candidates by the ECP.

The Constitution, however, in case of reserved seats allows the independent returned candidates to join within three days of publication in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates such political parties which have already secured any number of general seats in the elections.

Article 51 (6)(d) in term of seats reserved for women reads as: “(d) members to the seats reserved for women which are allocated to a Province under clause (3) shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties’ lists of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats secured by each political party from the Province concerned in the National Assembly: Provided that for the purpose of this paragraph the total number of general seats won by a political party shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join such a political party within three days of the publication in the official gazette of the names of the returned candidates.” 

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Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

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2 days ago

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Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on a private television station, said that the PTI is always coming to the streets, which really lessens the impact of a protest.

He also suggested to the PTI leadership that rather than carrying on with the agitation, it should finally put a hard hand down, which would be the final nail in the coffin.

He continued, citing the JUI protests as an example, saying, “We had a strong grip over our protesters and workers, so neither road was closed nor any property damage occurred during protests.”

The PTI has the right to protest, but Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the party’s agitation strategy as insufficient, stating that it is currently being “exposed which maynot be a good sign’.

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promised not to go back home unless the PTI founder was freed. During their demonstration, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, encouraged the party officials to come up with strategies to avoid being arrested.

According to an alleged audio recording, she stated that November 24 will be a loyalty test for PTI members.

Additionally, the government of Islamabad has enforced section 144 for a period of two months, which prohibits processions, rallies, demonstrations, and meetings of five or more individuals in the city.

As per the notification, the prohibition forbade meetings in any public space inside the boundaries of Islamabad, including the Red Zone, which encompasses important government buildings, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

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PTI representatives conjecture in the media over Imran’s approval of bail: FIA investigator

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3 days ago

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The hearing on the PTI founder’s bail application in the Toshakhana-2 case has resumed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), with Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb serving as the presider.

The hearing was attended by the defense attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, and FIA prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi.

Judge Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb told the FIA prosecutor to “leave the media alone and exempt yourself from them” in order to avoid commenting on the media. The statement followed the prosecutor’s assertion that the bail would be granted, which had previously been reported by media sources.

In addition, the court questioned whether the receipts in question were issued in the name of Bushra Bibi or the PTI founder itself. Bushra Bibi’s name was on the receipts listed in the challan, according to Barrister Salman Safdar.

Defense arguments
The defense expressed displeasure about the case’s 3.5-year registration wait. The prosecution has swore in Sohaib Abbasi and made Inamullah Shah a crucial witness without requiring them to take an oath.

Barrister Salman Safdar highlighted that multiple agencies, including NAB, FIA, Police, and the Election Commission, have initiated actions related to the Toshakhana case, suggesting procedural redundancy.

Regarding a phony Toshakhana receipt, he contended, the Kohsar Police Station has also filed a case.

Position of the prosecution
The FIA prosecutor, Umair Majeed Malik, maintained that the valuation of the jewelry set mentioned in the case would be explained in the prosecution’s evidence.Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked, “If the media does not spread sensationalism, how will they conduct their business?” He dismissed rumors about his health, stating that he was present and hearing the case despite such reports.

Status of Co-Accused
The court was informed that Bushra Bibi, a co-accused in the case, is currently on interim bail and awaiting a decision by Judge Afzal Majuka. Barrister Salman Safdar expressed hope that Judge Majuka would soon announce his verdict.

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Naqvi visits Fazl to express gratitude for contributions to the 26th amendment.

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4 days ago

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Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi convened with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to deliberate on issues of shared concern and the current political landscape in the nation.

In today’s meeting in Islamabad, Mr. Naqvi asked about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s health and sent his best wishes for the JUI chief’s well-being and future pursuits.

Naqvi extended his appreciation to Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his crucial contribution to the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he characterised as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legislative history.

Following the meeting, Naqvi commended Mr. Fazlur Rehman’s commitment to the nation, asserting, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently prioritised Pakistan’s interests, and his contributions to the country are indispensable.”

The experienced politician reaffirmed his dedication to Pakistan and its populace, stating, “Our priority has consistently been Pakistan and the well-being of its citizens.”

Senator Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting.

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