The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has lifted the stay order that temporarily suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision concerning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) intra-party polls and the use of their election symbol, the bat. Justice Ejaz Khan, part of a single-member bench, delivered the much-anticipated verdict during the court proceedings attended by legal representatives from both the ECP, including Sikander Bashir Mohmand, and PTI’s legal team with Advocates Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and Qazi Anwar.

Previously, the ECP contested its December 26 ruling, which temporarily reinstated the ‘bat’ symbol for PTI pending a final decision. The ECP’s order had nullified PTI’s intra-party polls and symbol usage. Consequently, PTI sought the PHC’s intervention to reinstate its symbol before the upcoming February 8 general elections. In response, the ECP petitioned the court to reassess PTI’s intra-party elections and their symbol allocation. The court, having heard arguments from the ECP’s counsel earlier, had adjourned the session to the present day.

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During the hearing, Advocate Anwar, representing PTI alongside Barrister Gohar Khan, mentioned political alliances supporting the Election Commission. However, Justice Khan reiterated that external opinions didn’t influence legal proceedings. PTI’s lawyer questioned the legality of the ECP’s petition, emphasizing the delay in implementing the court’s December 26 decision and the absence of an election certificate on the ECP’s website.

Responding to queries about a contempt case, PTI’s counsel stressed the importance of inclusive democratic processes and urged fair elections under the ECP’s oversight. Advocate Anwar further raised doubts regarding the ECP’s authority to challenge a high court order. Later, the ECP’s representative clarified that their aim wasn’t to expel parties but to ensure compliance with electoral laws. Mohmand reiterated that PTI’s intra-party polls had been invalidated due to non-compliance and requested the court to revoke the party’s stay order.