If results of intra-party elections were not recognised, PTI could face an uncertain future without an organisational structure: ECP Officials

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has adjourned the hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) intra-party election case until October 2, following a request by PTI for additional time to submit required documents.

A three-member bench, led by ECP Member Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani, presided over the proceedings, with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan representing the party.

During the hearing, ECP Member Balochistan questioned whether PTI’s intra-party elections were conducted in Chamkani, Peshawar, to which Barrister Gohar clarified that the elections took place in Islamabad. Gohar also sought a 10-day extension to finalise the documentation.

The Director General of Political Finance warned that if the results of the intra-party elections were not recognised, PTI could face an uncertain future without an organisational structure.

The bench instructed the DG Political Finance to provide further assistance on the matter to which he explained that under Section 208 of the Election Act, there should have been a five-year gap between two intra-party elections, with Barrister Gohar expressing his agreement.

Speaking to the media outside the ECP, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stressed that PTI had conducted one of the most transparent intra-party elections and urged the ECP to retrieve relevant documents from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

He also criticised the ECP for focusing on PTI while allegedly overlooking the activities of other political parties.

Barrister Gohar voiced optimism that the next hearing on October 2 would proceed without any further hurdles from the ECP and reiterated PTI’s commitment to the process. Additionally, he announced PTI’s lawyers’ movement against constitutional amendments, marking the party’s continued efforts to challenge legal changes affecting its organisational framework.

Criticising the ECP, the PTI chief pointed out the discriminatory treatment meted out to the PTI by the ECP despite apex court’s clear position on the matter.

“We had requested the court to order the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to bring all documents. PTI is the only party among 175 political parties of the country to have conducted the most transparent elections,” he added.