Former Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has raised concerns over the Peshawar High Court’s decision regarding the withdrawal of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) party symbol, asserting that the decision goes beyond the Election Commission’s jurisdiction. Shahbaz Sharif questioned how the Peshawar High Court, being a provincial court, could make decisions impacting national matters and the entire country.
Expressing his viewpoint, Shahbaz Sharif stated that while the Election Commission’s decision on inter-party elections was based on facts, the Peshawar High Court’s ruling specifically related to the party symbol raised questions. He expressed a desire to discuss this decision, emphasizing that the court’s jurisdiction should align with established norms and not overstep its boundaries.
Shahbaz Sharif argued that the Peshawar High Court’s decision regarding the Election Commission’s authority is equivalent to an attack on the commission’s powers. He called on the entire nation to expect justice from the judiciary, stressing that justice should be impartial and not tilt the balance in favor of any specific party.
Highlighting the potential consequences of such decisions, Shahbaz Sharif drew attention to the economic challenges faced by the nation and how placing undue pressure on the judiciary could harm the country’s stability. He credited the united efforts of the opposition parties for saving the country from default during the challenging 18 months, urging that Pakistan avoided a disastrous situation due to those efforts.
Shahbaz Sharif questioned the identity of the entity that could challenge the Good Conduct (GTC) and Wasu licenses granted to Laadla, referring to it as an entity that launched attacks on military installations. He urged contemplation on the manner in which facilities were being provided and the implications of such actions.
It’s noteworthy that the Peshawar High Court’s recent decision came after the Election Commission of Pakistan initially withdrew the electoral symbol of PTI, citing non-compliance with party rules. However, on December 26, the Peshawar High Court temporarily suspended the Election Commission’s decision on PTI’s intra-party elections, fueling debates about the jurisdiction of provincial courts over national electoral matters.
