PHC resumes hearing on ECP plea in PTI ‘bat’ symbol case

The electoral body had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging its decision to restore the PTI’s electoral symbol.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) resumed hearing on Wednesday on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) petition challenging its single-bench decision on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) electoral ‘bat’ symbol and intra-party polls.

A hearing is being held on the matter by a single-member bench led by Justice Ejaz Khan.

The ECP’s lawyer, Sikander Bashir Mohmand, and the PTI’s legal team, which included Advocates Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and Qazi Anwar, appeared in court.

Read More: ‘Bat’ in or out: the PHC reserves its decision on the ECP’s review petition

The electoral body had petitioned the high court for a review of its December 26 decision, which had suspended the ECP’s order and restored the party’s ‘bat’ symbol until a final decision on the matter was reached.

In its order, the ECP declared PTI’s intra-party polls “illegal” and barred it from using the ‘bat’ symbol. Following its order, the former ruling party approached the PHC, requesting that its party symbol be restored ahead of the February 8 general elections.

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The ECP then asked the court to review the PTI’s intra-party elections and its decision on the election symbol in its petition.

The court had previously heard the ECP’s counsel’s arguments and then adjourned the hearing until today (Wednesday).