PPP criticized the decision to impose restrictions on political parties and the application of Article 6 sanctions on PTI leaders, calling it unjustified
LAHORE: In a file photo, a PML-N delagtion meets PPP leaders at Bilawal House in Lahore in a video screengrab image. —MM screengrab
KARACHI: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have agreed to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reserved seats. The decision was made during a meeting of the ruling coalition, which focused on administrative matters in Punjab, the current political landscape, and the government’s proposal to ban PTI.
The PML-N delegation included notable figures such as National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Rana Sanaullah. The PPP was represented by Sherry Rehman, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and Nadeem Afzal Chan.
The ruling coalition decided to proceed with further consultations regarding the PTI ban and to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s decision. This comes shortly after the Supreme Court reinstated PTI, prompting the PML-N-led alliance to announce its intent to seek a ban on PTI and initiate Article 6 (high treason) proceedings against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, ex-President Dr. Arif Alvi, and former Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri for dissolving the National Assembly in April 2022. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized the coalition’s resolve to challenge the Supreme Court’s ruling, which recognized PTI’s entitlement to reserved seats in the assembly. However, this stance has not been uniformly supported within the ruling alliance.
PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza criticized the decision to impose restrictions on political parties and the application of Article 6 sanctions on PTI leaders, calling it unjustified. Murtaza stressed the importance of political entities adhering to democratic norms and clarified that Article 6 has historically been applied to military figures, not political leaders or workers. In response, PTI leaders strongly condemned the proposal to ban their party. Opposition leader Omar Ayub, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, and Shibli Faraz addressed the media, asserting that such a move was contemptuous of the Supreme Court, which had affirmed PTI’s right to exist. They urged the PPP and MQM to clarify their stance on PML-N’s statement.
The backlash prompted Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to clarify that no final decision had been made regarding the PTI ban, stating that any action would only be taken after thorough consultation with coalition partners. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced its commitment to implementing the Supreme Court’s July 12 ruling, which facilitates PTI-backed MNAs’ participation in assembly proceedings as PTI members. The ECP’s press release confirmed its compliance with the court’s directive while instructing its legal team to identify any obstacles to implementation.
The Supreme Court’s majority verdict overturned the Peshawar High Court judgment dated March 25 and declared the ECP order dated March 1 unconstitutional. The apex court asserted that denying an election symbol does not affect a political party’s constitutional and legal rights to participate in elections, mandating the ECP to act accordingly. This ongoing political saga highlights the intense legal and political maneuvers as Pakistan’s major parties vie for influence and control amidst a rapidly evolving political landscape.
