SC returns PTI’s petition challenging Election Act 2017

Registrar’s office asks Imran Khan to contact the forum concerned in this regard

The apex court on Friday raised objections on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging the Election Act 2017, which paved the way for Nawaz Sharif to become head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after his disqualification in the Panama Papers case ruling on July 28.



PTI Chairman Imran Khan recently moved the Supreme Court to scrap the provision, according to Express News.

Returning the petition, the SC registrar’s office objected that the particular petition cannot be submitted to the top court, asking the petitioner to contact the forum concerned in this regard.

Imran Khan maintained in his petition that a person who has been disqualified as a member of the National Assembly (NA) could not hold a party position. According to him, in a bid to reinstate Nawaz Sharif as the party chief of PML-N, especial amendments were made in the election act against the constitution.

Earlier, the SC had returned a constitutional petition filed by Chief of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, challenging the same act. The court had objected that the petitioner had not approached any other forum for the same relief and did not provide any justification in this regard. Citing another objection, the registrar’s office also stated that the certificate was not in conformity with requirements specified in Rule 6 of Order XXV of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980.



The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had also challenged the election bill. The party had requested the top court that the prime minister and members of his cabinet should be prohibited from accompanying Nawaz Sharif during his appearance before an accountability court, saying this violates the oath they have taken while assuming the state’s responsibility as ministers.