PTI to Challenge Election Act Amendments in Supreme Court
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its intention to challenge the recent amendments to the Election Act 2017 in the Supreme Court. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar made the announcement on the floor of the National Assembly, criticizing the government and drawing a comparison to Bangladesh’s political situation.
Barrister Gohar sarcastically suggested that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should seek advice from Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina about evading the country, reflecting PTI’s frustration with the current political climate. He warned the government that the recent large protests would serve as a lesson and hinted that the ruling party might face a fate similar to Hasina Wajid’s.
The PTI leader emphasized that if the government does not provide fair representation to political parties, others will fill the void. He claimed that the ideology of PTI has resonated widely with the people.
The controversy centers around the recently proposed amendments to the Elections Act 2017, presented by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Bilal Azhar Kiyani. The amendments aim to prevent lawmakers from changing their party affiliation after being elected. The opposition has protested the legislation, with members tearing up copies of the house agenda in protest.
This legislative move follows a Supreme Court decision that granted reserved seats to PTI, overturning a Peshawar High Court order that had supported the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to deny these seats to PTI. The Supreme Court’s 13-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, ruled in favor of PTI, dealing a significant blow to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition.
Chief Justice Isa and other dissenting judges, including Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Naeem Afghan, Justice Yahya Afridi, and Justice Ameenuddin Khan, opposed the majority verdict.
The upcoming challenge in the Supreme Court will likely further impact Pakistan’s political landscape.
Also Read: National Assembly Passes Election Act Amendment Bill 2024
