{"id":47305,"date":"2024-01-13T07:52:06","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T07:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/both-pti-sc-face-real-test-today-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2024-01-13T07:52:06","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T07:52:06","slug":"both-pti-sc-face-real-test-today-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/both-pti-sc-face-real-test-today-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Both PTI, SC face ‘real test’ today | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nISLAMABD:
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Saturday (today) is crucial for the PTI as a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, will decide the fate of its intra-party elections.<\/p>\n

If the apex court declares that the PTI’s internal polls were not held in accordance with the law, the party will suffer a major setback by not being allotted its cherished electoral symbol of the \u2018cricket bat\u2019.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, the Peshawar High Court in its short order did not give the declaration that the PTI’s intra-party elections were held in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n

The SC bench also expressed its surprise that the short order failed to mention this crucial aspect.<\/p>\n

Makhdoom Ali Khan, the counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), pointed out several legal flaws in the holding of the PTI’s intra-party polls.<\/p>\n

The SC bench has yet to clearly make up its mind about its decision in this matter.<\/p>\n

Now it is a major test for the PTI\u2019s legal team as to how it can defend the party\u2019s internal elections before the SC bench on Saturday. Usually, the benches do not sit for a hearing on Saturdays.<\/p>\n

Questions are also being raised on the performance of the PTI lawyers, who appeared to be struggling before the bench led by CJP Isa.<\/p>\n

Advocate Ali Zafar is likely to represent the PTI on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The factor of perception is more important in this case.\u00a0 It is an open secret there is a clash between the \u2018powerful circles’ and PTI since the May 9 violence last year.<\/p>\n

Despite facing tough times, the PTI’s popularity has not decreased and the party\u2019s opponents do not want its renowned electoral symbol to be allotted to it.<\/p>\n

Following this perception, the matter is also important for CJP Isa, who has so far been successful in adjudicating important cases during his tenure.<\/p>\n

The elections date was announced after the SC’s intervention. The court overturned a couple of high courts\u2019 orders, which might have delayed the polls.<\/p>\n

However, it is a key test for the SC as to how it will ensure the credibility of the elections.<\/p>\n

Lawyer Salahuddin Ahmed said the SC\u2019s fundamental rights jurisprudence truly took off after former premier<\/p>\n

Benazir Bhutto\u2019s petition in 1988 seeking an electoral symbol for the PPP (and her earlier plea against non-party polls).<\/p>\n

“It will be very unfortunate if the SC allowed the ECP to deny the [cricket] bat symbol to the PTI,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n