Peshawar High Court Restores PTI's Bat Symbol and Suspends ECP Decision

Peshawar, The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to declare the party's intra-party elections null and void, and to withdraw its iconic bat symbol. This temporary reprieve allows the PTI to potentially contest the upcoming general elections with its familiar emblem.

During the hearing, PTI lawyers, including Ali Zafar, Barrister Gohar Khan, and Babar Awan, argued that the ECP overstepped its authority. They highlighted that the commission had originally instructed the PTI to hold elections within 20 days, which the party complied with on December 3rd. Further, they pointed out that the ECP initially acknowledged the validity of the elections and even issued a certificate to the newly elected party chairman.

The lawyers emphasized that the ECP's sudden reversal, based on a single objection, was not only unlawful but also unconstitutional. They contended that it effectively barred the PTI from participating in the elections by dispossessing it of its essential symbol. This, they argued, violated the party's right to form associations and elect its officials, as guaranteed by Article 17 of the Constitution.

The court, led by Justice Kamran Hayat Mian Khel, issued notices to the ECP and other relevant parties while suspending its contested decision. This means that the bat symbol has been temporarily restored to the PTI, pending further legal proceedings. The court's final verdict will determine whether the party can definitively retain its symbol and participate in the upcoming elections.

This development represents a significant win for the PTI, providing the party with a crucial window to address the ECP's concerns and potentially secure its participation in the national ballot. The legal battle promises to be closely watched in the coming days, with significant implications for the upcoming elections and the broader political landscape of Pakistan.