ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has nullified the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) decision to suspend the appointment of a returning officer in PK-91, Kohat.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the PHC’s order, which suspended the appointment of Irfanullah as a returning officer for the provincial assembly constituency of PK-91 Kohat II, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa commented during the hearing that some people appear to be using tactics to delay elections, noting that another returning officer was appointed promptly after the initial one fell ill.
The CJP expressed concern about the filing of “irrelevant” pleas with the Supreme Court.
The SC, after accepting the ECP’s plea, nullified the Peshawar High Court’s decision, allowing the appointment of Irfanullah as the returning officer for PK-91, Kohat.
The process of scrutinizing the nomination papers for spring candidates has been completed, with Appellate Tribunals currently hearing objections from candidates across the country.
Additionally, the ECP has established Election Monitoring and Control Centers at various levels to address public complaints related to the upcoming general elections.
PML-N Senator Warns Against Mass Rejection of PTI Candidates’ Papers, Deems It Detrimental to Democracy
Meanwhile, in the Senate, as lawmakers from Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam–Fazl (JUI-F) appeared to advocate for the last-minute postponement of general elections, a PML-N senator, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, surprised many by asserting that the mass rejection of nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidates was detrimental to democracy.
Senator Sayed emphasized that weakening political parties would undermine the federation and urged against repeating mistakes from past elections, specifically referring to the manipulated 2018 elections influenced by intelligence and security agencies.
Sayed criticized the practice of enforced disappearances, stating that it was unacceptable, emphasizing the importance of human rights and democracy ingrained in the Pakistani DNA.
He stressed the need for the rule of law to prevail, suggesting that those accused of crimes should be charged, brought before a court of law, and tried accordingly.
Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri of JUI-F highlighted the necessity of peace as a prerequisite for elections and expressed concern about the deteriorating law and order situation, citing a recent armed attack on Maulana Fazalur Rahman’s convoy in D.I. Khan.
