ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday against its earlier three-member bench ruling that revoked the party’s bat symbol, forcing the party candidates to contest Thursday’s election as independent on different symbols.
PTI senior leaders and lawyers Hamid Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar submitted the review petition in the apex court, naming the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the complainants from the high court as respondents.
In the petition, the PTI said that the intra-party elections had been conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution, questioning the ECP’s authority to reassess the process.
Furthermore, the petition said that the Supreme Court had not thoroughly examined the facts of the case on merit. It said that revoking an electoral symbol from a political party infringed upon the fundamental rights of voters.
Highlighting the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan, the petition said that every individual has the right to establish a political party and participate in elections.
PTI criticized the apex court for allegedly overstepping its jurisdiction by withdrawing the bat symbol from the party. The petition urged the court to nullify the ECP’s decision to revoke the electoral symbol.
Additionally, PTI requested the Supreme Court to reconsider its judgment issued on January 13 regarding intra-party elections and reinstate the ruling of the Peshawar High Court.