Islamabad, September 14,2024- The Supreme Court’s 8-member bench has issued a clarification regarding the petitions filed by the Election Commission and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the case of reserved seats. The judges who delivered the majority decision stated that there is no ambiguity in the ruling of July 12. The short order issued by the Supreme Court on July 12 is very clear, but the Election Commission has unnecessarily complicated the matter.
The clarification further warned that failure to implement the decision would have serious consequences. It emphasized that Barrister Gohar has already been recognized as the Chairman of PTI, and Umar Ayub as the Secretary General.
According to the clarification, the reserved seat obtained should immediately be considered as belonging to the political party that was awarded it. Any subsequent actions cannot alter the agreements made on the relevant dates. The successful candidates, as per the determined status, were PTI’s candidates.
The judges further clarified that any attempt to complicate or create ambiguity in the clear matter has been rejected. The list issued by the Commission is merely an administrative process, aimed at providing information and convenience to all concerned parties. Failing or refusing to fulfill legal responsibilities could have serious consequences. Therefore, the Election Commission must immediately fulfill its duties.