PTI withdraws level playing field plea from SC

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) has taken a surprising stance by withdrawing its request to the Supreme Court (SC) for fair and equal conditions in the approaching general elections.

Senior leader and attorney Latif Khosa of the party has stated that the party now intends to take its argument straight to the people.

In an appeal to the highest court, Imran Khan’s party claimed that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disregarded a previous court ruling that required all political parties to operate on an even playing field.

The PTI was pursuing legal action against the ECP for contempt.

Initially submitted by attorney Shoaib Shaheen, the petition included the federal, provincial, and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as respondents.

Latif Khosa, the senior attorney for the PTI, revealed to the media that he has been “told” to drop the Supreme Court (SC) case, nonetheless.

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Khosa stressed that the party has chosen to use the court of public opinion to protect democracy and seek justice.

He underlined the hurdles experienced by PTI candidates in filing nomination papers, noting instances of candidates being hauled up under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

Khosa expressed displeasure with the state of affairs and questioned the validity of the procedure, asking, “What kind of mockery is this?”

The party no longer expects an equal playing field, he said, citing a court ruling on January 13 that affected seat distribution.

The same three-member bench that considered the bat symbol appeal heard the plea on Monday.

Judges Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Musarrat Hilali were on the bench, with Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa in charge.

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Nevertheless, PTI’s attorney Latif Khosa declared he want to withdraw the petition when the session got underway.

He remarked, “We want to approach the court of the people instead for the sake of defending democracy and the people.” He went on to say that the party had lost the entire field, not just a level playing field.

If he wished to pursue the case, CJP Isa inquired. Khosa said that he had received orders to revoke the petition.

PTI Barrister Gohar Khan filed a similar plea before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, naming the chief election commissioner and the four ECP members as respondents, shortly before Khosha dropped the first one.

The Supreme Court has resolved the issue in response to PTI’s request for withdrawal.

PTI’s action indicates a change in strategy as the party gets ready to interact directly with voters.