PTI moves SC for granting right of franchise to overseas Pakistanis

Three-member bench, headed by CJP, to take up matter today

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court to grant millions of overseas Pakistanis settled in 159 countries across the globe the right to vote.

PTI chief Imran Khan, Dr Arif Alvi, Sardar Azhar Tariq and Ruxana Bhatti jointly moved an application requesting the apex court to declare that the “overseas Pakistanis are citizens of Pakistan and it is their fundamental right to utilise their right of franchise whether in Pakistan or abroad”.



The PTI pleaded the court to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to allow them to cast their precious votes in the general elections.

The application has been moved by renowned lawyers Anwar Mansoor Khan and Chaudhry Faisal Hussain. The three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, will take up the matter today (Wednesday).

The application states that the world has recognised the right of franchise even to the prisoners, but the ECP is denying such right to the important community playing a major role in the financial stability of the country.

The application further states that the PTI chief has been continuously asking for the voting right for overseas Pakistanis, but the ECP has badly failed to discharge its statutory function.

According to the application, “In more than 159 countries, there are over 8.0 million Pakistanis who contribute greatly to the development of Pakistan and more than 5.0 million eligible voters who are no less patriotic than the people living in Pakistan. ‎They want to see Pakistan as a progressive and democratic state where human rights are respected and freedom of expression is ensured. Their votes can make a huge difference as majority of them are politically more aware because they have lived in countries where rule of law and economic development is an every-day experience.”



It is submitted that voting is a human right recognised under international law. The right to vote is also protected in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which was signed in 2008 and ratified in 2011 by the government of Pakistan.

“Making arrangements to provide facility to overseas Pakistanis to cast their vote is duty of the ECP in exercise of powers conferred upon it under Article 219 of the Constitution read with Article 219(d) and Article 140-A of the Constitution to achieve the object, which is to be ensured by the commission in terms of Article 218 of the Constitution,” stated the application.

The PTI prayed the SC to direct the ECP to implement the court’s 2011 judgment on giving the right of vote to overseas Pakistanis in letter and spirit.