PML-N files petition challenging SC ruling on reserved seats

PML-N seeks the annulment of the top court's July 12 short order and a stay on its implementation.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has submitted a review petition to the Supreme Court (SC), challenging the court's ruling to allocate reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

A petition filed by Advocate Haris Azmat contends that PTI was not a party to the original case and questions the basis for awarding seats to the party.

It highlights that the primary issue debated at judicial forums was whether the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) was entitled to the reserved seats, noting that PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council are separate entities.

The petition argues that the top court incorrectly treated the two parties as one and criticises the court’s provision allowing candidates 15 days to join a political party, asserting this contravenes Article 51’s sub-clauses 6D and E, which stipulate three days.

PML-N seeks the annulment of the July 12 short order and a stay on its implementation.

Earlier today, the federal government and coalition parties had resolved to appeal the SC's decision which set aside ECP and PHC's decision and made PTI eligible for the reserved seats.

During a press conference in Islamabad, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated, "PTI was granted relief without requesting it, prompting our review appeal." He noted that the Sunni Ittehad Council’s manifesto excludes non-Muslims from membership.

Tarar questioned the validity of the relief given, "Did those who received the relief ask for it? PTI, a party not entitled to such rights, was unjustly favoured. We are justified in filing this appeal."

He further accused PTI of failing to conduct intra-party elections and not affirming its MNAs' membership before the judiciary. "Did the MNAs who benefited from the relief appear in court to request it?" he asked.

Tarar also mentioned that PTI had been involved in prohibited funding and had repeatedly obtained stays in the foreign funding case over the past six years.