PTI withdraws ‘Bat’ symbol appeal; SC disposes of case

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan argued that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s application was inadmissible.

PTI withdraws ‘Bat’ symbol appeal; SC disposes of case. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) withdrew its appeal regarding the bat election symbol, resulting in the Supreme Court disposing of the case on Wednesday morning.

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali, had been constituted to address the matter. The PTI’s appeal was scheduled for a hearing today but was withdrawn by the party.

Representatives Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Hamid Khan appeared on behalf of PTI. Barrister Gohar informed the court that the central appeal was fixed before the Peshawar High Court, requesting the withdrawal of the petition due to pending cases.

The PTI had initially filed the appeal with the Supreme Court on January 4, challenging the Peshawar High Court’s decision to annul intra-party elections and revoke election symbols.

While the petition was not initially set for a hearing, the Supreme Court directed on January 9 that PTI’s petition for the restoration of the bat symbol be scheduled for January 10.

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Barrister Gohar Ali Khan argued that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s application was inadmissible. He asserted that the party was treated unfairly compared to other political parties, emphasizing the inadequate consideration of evidence by the electoral watchdog and the PHC before revoking the bat symbol.

The application highlighted the misinterpretation of the law by the PHC, leading to an allegedly unjust decision. Barrister Khan contended that the Commission did not need to issue a notice in this matter and criticized the withdrawal of the bat symbol without proper consideration of facts as discriminatory.

The petitioner underscored the interim relief granted by the Peshawar High Court on December 26, 2023, expressing concerns about irreparable damage if the bat symbol was not reinstated.