PTI’s claims of lack of level-playing field appear to be correct: Justice Athar Minallah

Islamabad:  The Supreme Court Justice Athar Minallah observed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) claims of a lack of a level-playing field ahead of the upcoming general elections appeared to be correct.

Justice Minallah—who is a member of a three-member bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, made these remarks while hearing the PTI’s plea seeking a fair electoral environment.

Justice Minallah referred to a recent raid at the residence of ex-PTI leader Usman Dar, emphasizing that the incident had been widely covered in the newspapers. The Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) Director General Law was present during the proceedings.

The top court directed the ECP representative to meet with PTI counsels at 3:00 pm on the same day to address the party's concerns regarding a level-playing field.  The apex court also directed the Attorney General to assist the ECP in the meeting with PTI lawyers.

PTI founder Imran Khan's lawyer, Shoaib Shaheen, raised concerns about Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) orders still being issued against their leaders despite the election schedule.

He highlighted that PTI candidates were not receiving nomination papers and were being denied the opportunity to submit them.

Acting CJP Sardar Tariq Masood questioned why the ECP had not taken steps to prevent the issuance of MPO orders. He assured that a comprehensive order would be issued to address all complaints after a thorough review.

The court emphasized that if returning officers did not accept the nomination papers, PTI should be allowed to submit them to the Election Commission. The ECP and Attorney General assured the court of their cooperation in addressing all complaints.

Justice Shah inquired about the solution to the matter, and the Attorney General suggested that the ECP should seek reports from all inspector generals to ensure that no candidate faced issues. Justice Masood directed all inspector generals not to harass PTI candidates.

After hearing the arguments, the Supreme Court disposed of the PTI petition related to a level-playing field in the upcoming general elections.

The case had been brought up during the hearing of the cipher case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI lawyer, who raised the issue before a three-judge bench headed by interim Chief Justice Masood.

The court had fixed the case for hearing on the same day after the PTI counsel informed them of candidates being denied the filing of nomination papers.