PML-N files review petition against Supreme Court's reserved seats decision

Petition says SC asking independent members to join political party within 15 days is against law

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging the decision made on July 12 regarding the allocation of reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

In their petition, the PML-N has also requested the issuance of a stay order on the July 12 decision until a final ruling is made on the case.

The review petition argues that the Supreme Court should reconsider and withdraw the decision, asserting that the allotment of reserved seats to the PTI requires thorough review. The PML-N petition contended that the PTI had not formally requested these reserved seats, and the matter was only brought forward as a suggestion.

Additionally, the petition highlights that the Sunni Ittehad Council and the PTI were distinct political entities. It further states that independent candidates had already joined the Sunni Ittehad Council. The petition underscores that the members in question, who were declared to be part of the PTI, had identified themselves as independents in official documents.

The PML-N’s petition also argues that the court order asking independent members to join a political party within 15 days is against the law. The Constitution, according to the petition, stipulates that independent candidates can only join a political party within three days.

Moreover, the petition claims that the arguments from the involved parties regarding the allocation of reserved seats to the PTI were not adequately heard before the decision was made. Therefore, the PML-N has requested the Supreme Court to review and revise the decision on the seats’ allocation.

Earlier on Monday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had announced that the government had decided to file a review of the Supreme Court’s decision in the reserved seats case. “The Supreme Court granted relief to the PTI that was never sought,” the minister claimed.

He said the government reserved the right to file a review appeal against the decision, claiming that the women whose rights had been usurped believed a review should be filed. “It will be asked whether those who submitted affidavits asked for the relief that’s been given,” he remarked.

On July 11, the Supreme Court set aside the Peshawar High Court and election commission verdicts and declared the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) eligible for reserved seats in the case of the Sunni Ittehad Council.

The 8-5 majority verdict was announced by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who was heading a 13-member full court of the Supreme Court. The proceedings were broadcast live. All the judges recognized the PTI as a legal and competent party.

The Supreme Court declared that the deprivation of an election symbol did not terminate the right of a party to participate in elections. The PTI was and is a political party. The election commission submitted the data of 80 candidates to the Supreme Court.

It further said that the 39 candidates whose affiliation was shown with the PTI will remain the successful candidates of the PTI. The remaining 41 candidates can also submit their affidavits within 15 days that they were candidates of the same party. The PTI has been ordered to submit its list for reserved seats within 15 days.