PTI hails judiciary after victory in reserved seats case

PTI's Omar Ayub, leader of the opposition in NA, demanded the immediate resignation of chief election commissioner

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has hailed the Supreme Court's (SC) verdict on the allocation of reserved seats as a 'historic decision' in the country's history.

"We finally got what we deserved," PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said while speaking outside the apex court along with other PTI lawmakers following the Supreme Court's announcement of its verdict on Friday.

The chairman said that "today is a day of happiness for the 250 million people of Pakistan."

He noted that 11 judges of the top court voted in favour of PTI and also expressed gratitude to the judiciary for deciding in favour of the party.

“The greatest contribution was from KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. He delayed the oath in the KP Assembly. There is no question of re-election,” Gohar added.

"The Supreme Court has granted the right to its rightful owner today," Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza.

He criticised the Election Commission, accusing it of attempting to steal the mandate, and highlighted the Supreme Court's lack of confidence in the electro watchdog. Raza demanded the immediate resignation of the chief of ECP.

"We aim to uphold democracy in Pakistan," PTI's senator Shibli Faraz stated.

He emphasised that the current government was established based on Form-45 and called for the restoration of the mandate.

Faraz praised the courts for allocating them the reserved seats, paying tribute to their decision to "uphold the flag of justice".

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Omar Ayub Khan demanded the immediate resignation of the chief election commissioner (CEC) following the Supreme Court's decision to allocate reserved seats to PTI.

"Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, along with the remaining 4 commissioners of the Election Commission, should resign promptly," Ayub stated.

"The Election Commission was biased against him[Imran Khan] and his party," he added.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan in its verdict said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was entitled to reserved seats and that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s decision to allocate reserved seats to the ruling coalition was unconstitutional.

During the announcement, PTI leaders chanted slogans on the SC premises.

Before the announcement today, Chairman Barrister Gohar expressed optimism about the allocation of their reserved seats while speaking to the media in Islamabad.

Barrister Gohar stated that the wait for the public is nearing its end and they are hopeful for a favorable decision from the Supreme Court.

"This is an issue of the basic rights of 250 million people," Barrister Gohar remarked, emphasizing the significance of the matter. He expressed confidence that PTI would receive their due seats, which he believes will strengthen democracy in the country.