PTI dealt blow as PML-N wins Islamabad seats, says ECP

ISLAMABAD The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Friday the victories of three Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates who won the three constituencies in Islamabad, dealing a setback to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Anjum Aqeel, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Raja Khurram Nawaz, three PML-N candidates, had won from NA-46, NA-47, and NA-48, respectively.

The PTI had previously challenged the ECP’s notification in court at the Islamabad High Court (IHC). But the court dismissed the petition and sent the case back to the commission.

The court ruled on Wednesday that the PML-N candidates’ victory notifications would not sent out until the ECP made a determination regarding the outstanding cases.

The order came from an IHC bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb. And Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir which heard the intra-court appeals (ICA) filed by PTI-backed candidates Barrister Shoaib Shaheen, Aamer Mughal and Ali Bokhari.

The ECP had informed the court that the returning officer had been directed to furnish a report in this regard.

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Today, after hearing the parties the Election Commission issued the notification.

“In pursuance of the Islamabad High Court order dated 19-02-2024 an injunctive order was passed whereby the operation of Notification No F.2(5)/2024-Cord. Dated 11-02-2024 of returned candidates of the constituencies No NA-46 ICT-I, NA-47 ICT-II and NA-48 ICT-III was suspended. The Hon’ble High Court has decided the petition vide order dated 21-02-2024 expressly subject to the final decision of the pending Election petitions,” it stated.

“Now the Commission after hearing the parties has finally disposed of the petitions filed by Mr. Aamer Masood contesting candidate NA-46 ICT-I. Mr. Shoib Shaheen contesting candidate NA-47 ICT-II, and Syed Muhammad Ali Bokhari, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Ch. Azhar Mehmood contesting candidates NA-48 ICT-Ill, in light of the order passed by the Hon’ble Islamabad High Court. Therefore, the Notification dated 11-02-2024 under Section 98(1) of the Elections Act, 2017. Suspended by the Hon’ble Court stands restored/revived retrospectively.”

Don’t fight against the state

Speaking to media outside ECP, Tariq Fazl Chaudhry slammed his rivals for creating controversy over the poll results.

He counseled the party against opposing the government. “We are ready for a political battle.”

He stated that they will present the same Form 45 at each forum since they have copies from each of the three constituencies.

The leader of the PML-N charged that the PTI was engaging in fraud and misleading the high court.