ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Tuesday submitted a contempt of court petition to the Supreme Court, urging the initiation of proceedings against the Election Commission of Pakistan, chief secretaries and inspector generals of police of the four provinces.
The petition alleges non-compliance with the court’s order issued on December 22, 2023.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan lodged the contempt of court petition under Article 204 of the Constitution, in conjunction with Section ¾ of the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003.
The petition, filed through Advocate Muhammad Shoaib Shaheen, specifically calls for contempt proceedings against several individuals, including Aftab Akbar Durrani (Secretary, Ministry of Interior), Omar Hamid Khan (Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan), Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary (Chief Secretary, Government of KPK Peshawar), Zahid Akhtar Zaman (Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab), Muhammad Fakhre Alam Irfan (Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh), Shakeel Qadir Khan (Chief Secretary, Government of Balochistan), Dr. Usman Anwar (IG Police, Punjab), Abdul Khalique Sheikh (IG Police, Balochistan), Akhtar Hayat (IG Police, KPK, Peshawar) and Riffat Mukhtar (IG Police, Sindh).
He implored the apex court to issue notices to the respondents, ensuring they were tried and punished under contempt laws. Additionally, he requested compliance with the court’s order of December 22, 2023, about a constitutional petition seeking a level playing field for the PTI.
Furthermore, he urged the Supreme Court to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan to take action against the wrongdoers under relevant sections of the Election Act 2017.
He sought protection for PTI candidates, workers, and leaders from arrest, harassment, or any hindrance to participating in the election process.
The PTI chairman also requested that the court ensure the party and its candidates receive fair airtime and media coverage in the lead-up to the general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
He emphasised the importance of conducting the elections in a just, honest, free, and fair manner as mandated by the Constitution, ensuring equal opportunities for all contestants.
The PTI chairman expressed dissatisfaction with the election commission’s response to the court’s order of December 22, 2023, accusing the commission of contempt and failure to implement the court’s directives. He argued that the commission, tasked with ensuring impartial and transparent elections, had neglected its constitutional duty.
He highlighted instances of alleged illegal acts, such as arrests, house raids, and orders under 3 MPO, continuing despite the court’s order.
He presented official correspondence indicating malafide and unconstitutional acts by the police and returning officers which, he claimed, discriminated against the PTI and aimed to oust it from the election process.
In conclusion, the PTI chairman asserted that the respondents’ conduct amounts to serious contempt of court, warranting appropriate punishment and criminal proceedings. He underscored the jeopardy posed to the country’s entire system due to the respondents’ failure to fulfil their basic functions.
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