The Peshawar High Court (PHC) made a decisive ruling regarding the contentious issue surrounding PTI’s intra-party elections and the allocation of election symbols, setting a deadline that has placed pressure on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

With a swift deadline set for December 22, the court directed the electoral watchdog to expedite its decision-making process.

During the hearing, Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan presented the party’s case, expressing dissatisfaction with the Commission’s failure to provide reasons for withholding election symbols. However, the court questioned the choice of venue for the petitions, suggesting that approaching the Islamabad High Court might have been more appropriate given the Commission’s headquarters’ location.

Justice Atiq Shah emphasized the significance of adhering to proper legal procedures, cautioning against using the court for matters that could be addressed in political forums. The court adjourned proceedings temporarily and resumed deliberations later on, where Barrister Gohar raised concerns about the Commission’s notices to PTI’s provincial cabinet and the central party leadership.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Barrister Gohar warned that PTI candidates would stand as independents if the election symbols weren’t granted by the deadline. He reiterated the importance of recognizing the party’s intra-party elections for securing election symbols.

The PTI Chairman expressed dismay over what he perceived as undue delays and discrimination by the Election Commission. He pointed out the apparent disparity in the handling of PTI’s case compared to other parties and stressed the need for prompt resolution.

In response, Justice Shakeel Ahmed questioned whether it was reasonable for the Election Commission to resolve complaints independently without involving the court in every instance.

The court’s decision has brought the PTI’s election symbol issue to the forefront, setting the stage for swift action and underscoring the necessity for a prompt resolution by the Election Commission ahead of the impending deadline.