PML-N files review petition in SC, praying the apex court to revisit its decision of giving reserved seats to the PTI

ISLAMABAD, July 15 (SABAH): The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, praying the apex court to revisit its decision of giving reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The petition filed in the apex court on Monday also requested the court to suspend its 12th July 2024 ruling regarding the reserved seats case of the Sunni Ittehad Council till the final decision of the review petition.

The petition filed by Advocate Haris Azmat contends that PTI was not a party to the original case and questions the basis for awarding seats to the party.

It highlights that the primary issue debated at judicial forums was whether the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) was entitled to the reserved seats, noting that PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council are separate entities.

The petition argues that the top court incorrectly treated the two parties as one and criticises the court’s provision allowing candidates 15 days to join a political party, asserting this contravenes Article 51’s sub-clauses 6D and E, which stipulate three days.

The review petition asked a number of questions including whether the SIC should be granted the reserved seats.

It questioned if reserved seats could be granted to a political party who had not submitted a party list within the prescribed time, whether a political party can be given reserved seats whose candidates have not even filed nomination papers within the time provided by the Election Commission of Pakistan and if independents could even join a political party which did not win a single general seat in parliament.

The plea also raised question if the seats could be left vacant or have to be distributed amongst the political parties contesting for the said seats.

PML-N seeks the annulment of the July 12 short order and a stay on its implementation. An early hearing has been requested in the petition.