After Elahi, SC also clears Sanam Javed, Shaukat Basra for polls

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday annulled the decision of the election tribunal, granting permission to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates Shaukat Basra and Sanam Javed to contest the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.

The decision came after an appeal was filed in the Supreme Court against the rejection of nomination papers by the nominated PTI candidates. The case was heard by a three-member bench, with Justice Muneeb Akhtar leading the proceedings.

Earlier in the day, the top court had also overturned the rejection of PTI central president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi's nomination papers, permitting him to contest in the upcoming general elections.

The court instructed the inclusion of Elahi's name and electoral symbol on the ballot paper for PP-32, Gujarat, while he withdrew from all other constituencies.

During today’s court session, Sanam's lawyer, Shahzeb Rasool, argued that an affidavit dated December 22, 2023, was provided in the presence of an oath commissioner on December 21. The oath commissioner confirmed Sanam's signature. However, the returning officer rejected the nomination papers, stating that no visitors had met Sanam in prison on December 22.

Also read: SC greenlights Elahi to contest elections

Justice Shahid Waheed questioned the automatic verification of Sanam Javed's signature, and lawyer Shahzeb Rasool explained that the returning officer initiated an inquiry by writing to jail authorities on December 30.

The court deliberated on the timing of the rejection, with Justice Muneeb Akhtar questioning why the returning officer waited until December 30, the last day of scrutiny, to reject the papers. The lawyer clarified that special cases were reserved for the last day.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court annulled the election tribunal's decision, ordering the inclusion of Shaukat Basra and Sanam Javed's names and election symbols on the ballot papers for the upcoming general elections.

Sanam's nomination papers were initially rejected for National Assembly constituencies NA-119 and NA-120 and Punjab Assembly constituency PP-150. Similarly, Shaukat Basra filed an appeal against the rejection of his nomination papers for National Assembly constituency NA-163.

Also read: PTI claims party websites 'blocked' in Pakistan ahead of elections

After the verdict, Shaukat Basra addressed the media, congratulating Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Sanam Javed on today’s verdict. He emphasised PTI's emergence as the largest political party in Pakistan and referred to PTI's founder, Imran Khan, as "prisoner number 804".

Basra criticised the election process, claiming electoral symbol manipulation and interference with the nomination process. He urged institutions to take action against those involved in the events of May 9 but also called for forgiveness, stating that they are all children of the nation.

In a passionate plea, Basra declared support for the army and urged unity against those who speak against it. He asserted that Imran Khan, despite being in prison, is the only way to take Pakistan forward.