Supreme Court is not running anyone’s campaign, CJP Qazi Faez Isa tells PTI counsel Latif Khosa

ISLAMABAD, Jan 08 (SABAH): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa observed on Monday that the Supreme Court is not running anyone’s campaign. Chief Justice while addressing PTI lawyer Sardar Latif Khan Khosa said you all want delay in election but we want elections. Chief justice said that he will not allow mockery of the Supreme Court, adding that we are court of law and what will do after watching CD. Chief justice said that we will not go beyond this. Chief justice while addressing Latif Khosa said you are contesting election on PTI ticket and you are standing in front of us and you are saying that you are not being allowed to come out. Chief justice said that whether PPP, PML-N, JUI-F, Jamaat-e-Islami all are against PTI, adding that caretaker government is present in the country and if the counsel wants to capture headlines in media then it if fine. Chief justice said whether PTI wants from us to takeover the ECP. Chief justice said that whole world was watching but he was not watching, adding that he has no solution of the statement of whole world. Chief justice said that no petition of Imran Khan is present in front of them and in this regard the counsel was playing with the galleries. Chief justice said ECP has filed compliance report consisting of 322 pages and chief secretary Punjab has submitted report consisting of 242 pages. Chief justice has also announced to fix the hearing of the PTI petition filed against withdrawal of its election symbol “bat” by Election Commission of Pakistan on 10th January (Wednesday).

The CJP’s remarks during a hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plea seeking contempt of proceedings against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for allegedly failing to ensure level-playing field to the party ahead of February 8 elections.

“We are the Supreme Court, not the government, we are not running anyone’s campaign,” the CJP said after PTI counsel Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa complained that the party members were being subjected to political victimisation ahead of February 8 elections.

A three-member bench led by CJP Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali heard the matter. The proceedings of the case were broadcast live on SC’s website and YouTube channel.

PTI lawyer Latif Khosa presented arguments on behalf of Advocate Shoaib Shaheen, who filed the appeal in the court.

At the last hearing, the SC issued notices to the Punjab inspector general of police (IGP), chief secretary, and advocate general, seeking their response on the PTI’s allegations regarding alleged harassment of their candidates and party leaders.

On December 22, the top court directed the ECP to address PTI’s concern regarding the level-playing field on the former ruling party’s petition.

In line with the court’s order, the ECP representatives met the PTI delegation and assured them of addressing its grievances in the lead up to the February 8 national vote.

However, the party filed another petition on December 26, seeking contempt of court proceedings against the ECP over the electoral body’s alleged failure to ensure a level-playing field.

A day earlier, the ECP submitted its response to the top court on the PTI’s level-playing field allegations.

During the hearing on Monday, PTI counsel Latif Khosa told the bench that adverse actions were being taken against the PTI members through Section 144 and Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

At which, the CJP said section 144 and MPO will be for everyone and not just for PTI. “Neither Section 144 nor MPO has been challenged before us,” the CJP added.

The CJP also reminded the PTI counsel that the Supreme Court is not a political forum, asking him to use other forums for political purposes.

“Stop whining here. If you don’t have trust in any Pakistan’s institution then what should be done,” the CJP said after Khosa complained that nomination papers of their top leaders were rejected by returning officers.

Responding to Khosa’s assertion, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar pointed out that according to the report of the Election Commission nomination papers of more than 76% of PTI candidates were approved.

“Does PTI want elections?” CJP Isa asked Khosa. To which, Khosa replied: “100%, we want elections.”

The CJP said the Election Commission’s mandate is to conduct elections in the country. “[..] these are the institutions established by you [parliament]…respect these institutions,” the top judge remarked.

Referring to the ECP report submitted to the top court, the CJP asked Khosa to deny the facts if they believed they were wrongly stated in the report.

Khosa complained that PTI has not been granted permission to hold political gatherings and nomination papers of senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi were rejected by the RO.

At which, the CJP responded that the Supreme Court cannot direct any RO not to reject anyone’s nomination papers.

The CJP inquired from the PTI counsel if he had read the report submitted by the ECP in response to the PTI’s petition.

CJP Isa said the PTI would have to come up with something in writing if it was rejecting the ECP’s report.

During the proceedings, the chief justice said the ECP had submitted a detailed report and asked the PTI counsel to point out flaws and shortcomings in the report. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar said 1,195 candidates of PTI had submitted nomination papers for National Assembly seats as per ECP and chief secretary’s reports, adding that out of them 845 were accepted and 245 were rejected. He said that PTI filed 1,777 nominations papers for Punjab assembly seats out of which1398 were accepted and 379 were rejected.

Latif Khosa said that the nomination papers of all front line candidates were rejected, adding that PTI has no permission to hold public gathering, rally or run election campaign.

CJP Isa asked Khosa, “If you reject this report you must submit some written reply about that.” Khosa said no frontline candidate’s paper was accepted by the returning officers.

Justice Ali Mazhar remarked that Khosa was saying in his reply that appellate tribunals had given relief to his party candidates.

PTI counsel Latif Khosa said his party demanded level playing field. He said no other party leader was detained under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

The CJP asked from Khosa that which party he was representing. Khosa said he was representing the PTI. Chief justice said that we want to move forward and address the complaints.

After hearing the arguments, the SC ordered PTI to submit its response to the ECP’s plea till Thursday and adjourned the hearing till next Monday (January 15). The court has also directed Advocate General Punjab to submit reply on the response of PTI report going to be filed on 11th January.