ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has submitted a review petition to the Supreme Court challenging its July 12 decision regarding the allocation of reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PML-N’s petition requests a stay on the decision until a final ruling is made.
In the review petition, PML-N argues that the Supreme Court’s decision needs reconsideration. They assert that the PTI did not formally request the reserved seats and that the matter was only suggested, not formally requested. The petition also highlights that the Sunni Ittehad Council and PTI are distinct political entities and that independent candidates had already joined the Sunni Ittehad Council. It notes that members previously identified as independents in official documents should not be counted as PTI members.
Furthermore, the PML-N claims that the court’s order requiring independent members to join a political party within 15 days contradicts the Constitution, which stipulates a three-day timeframe. The petition argues that the decision-making process lacked adequate hearing of all arguments and requests the court to review and amend its decision on seat allocation.
Earlier on Monday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the government’s decision to file a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling. He criticized the relief granted to PTI, claiming it was not requested and asserting that a review was necessary to address potential usurpation of rights.
On July 11, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, overturned previous verdicts from the Peshawar High Court and the election commission, recognizing PTI’s eligibility for reserved seats. The court’s decision affirmed that the deprivation of an election symbol did not invalidate the PTI’s right to participate in elections. The PTI was given 15 days to submit its list for reserved seats, while the remaining candidates were instructed to provide affidavits confirming their party affiliation.
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