Supreme Court Grants Election Permission to PTI Leader Tahir Sadiq for NA-49
Islamabad, Jan 26: The Supreme Court has granted permission for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Tahir Sadiq to contest elections. A three-member bench led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah conducted the hearing, during which Tahir Sadiq submitted his nomination papers for NA-49. Tahir Sadiq had appealed to the Supreme Court after Lahore High Court rejected his nomination papers.
It is noteworthy that PTI leader Sanaullah Masti Khel was also granted permission to contest elections by the Supreme Court yesterday. The court declared the decision of the Lahore High Court Multan bench as null and void. The Supreme Court had directed the Election Commission to include Sanaullah Masti Khel's name in the ballot papers.
Similarly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's President and former Chief Minister of Punjab, Pervez Elahi, had appealed to the Supreme Court to participate in the elections. In the appeal, the Election Commission and Election Tribunal formed a team, and a request was made to the court to declare the Lahore High Court's decision on January 13, 2024, null and void.
In his application, Pervez Elahi stated that baseless allegations were made against him, leading to the rejection of his nomination papers due to objections raised by candidate Muhammad Salim. Objections were raised claiming ownership of shares in Lahore Modern Flour Mills. The objection, however, was not only inactive but also no bank account had been opened in its name.
Pervez Elahi's application also asserted that he had never purchased shares in the Flour Mills and that the inactive Flour Mill does not constitute an asset. The stance presented was that preventing him from running in the elections based on Lahore Modern Flour Mills is unjust. It is established that failure to declare a non-existent asset cannot result in disqualification. Scrutinizing the intention behind not declaring any asset is essential.
The Supreme Court, after a complete hearing, granted permission to Pervez Elahi to contest elections from Provincial Assembly constituency PP-32, Gujrat. This decision ensures his active participation in the democratic process while underscoring the importance of adherence to election laws.
