Supreme Court strikes back at British criticism of PTI bat verdict

The Supreme Court has written to British High Commissioner Jane Marriott over the criticism of the court verdict in the PTI electoral symbol case, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.

In its letter, the country’s top court mentioned the British High Commissioner’s speech at the Asma Jahangir Conference.

The interest shown by the British government is welcome, it said, adding that in Pakistan, it was necessary to hold elections within 90 days of the completion of the term of the national and provincial assemblies.

The elections could not be held on time because the president and the election commission did not agree, the court explained, adding that the Supreme Court resolved the issue in just 12 days and the general elections were held on February 8, 2024.

Many people who wanted to contest elections in Pakistan faced life bans. The top court’s seven-member larger bench struck down the lifetime disqualification as it was not per the Constitution and the law.

The holding of intra-party elections is to prevent dictatorship and to promote democracy within political parties, the letter said, adding that to ensure the compliance of this democratic principle, this condition has been laid down in the law.

It continued: “If a political party does not hold intra-party elections, it will not be eligible for election symbols.  The Supreme Court of Pakistan has corrected the mistakes of the past There is a need for Britain to correct its mistakes

The letter also mentioned the overthrow of the Iranian government in 1953 and the establishment of the Israeli state through a declaration. A copy of the letter has been sent to the President of the UK Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of England and Wales