PTI News, Updates and Discussion

[ghazi52]

Objections raised over Imran's NA-122 Lahore nomination papers​

PTI counsel seeks time till tomorrow to satisfy RO's queries
Rana Yasif
December 27, 2023

PTI chief Imran Khan. Photo: screengrab

LAHORE: The returning officer (RO) has sought detailed arguments from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by tomorrow over objections raised by PML-N over nomination papers submitted by PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan for the constituency NA-122 Lahore.

The PML-N’s former MPA and the current contester Mian Naseer submitted objections before the RO, claiming that Imran had been convicted in the Toshakhana case and his nomination papers were not attested by the jail superintendent. He also claimed that his seconder did not belong to the constituency where the PTI founder was contesting from.

The RO’s room was packed with PTI supporters, on a point some fiery arguments also took place between the counsels of both sides.

During arguments, the Imran's counsels requested the RO to dismiss the objections as non-maintainable adding that the seconders and proposers belonged to the same constituency the PTI founder was contesting from.

The counsel for the objector implored that they have no personal grudge against Imran and adding there are certain legal aspects which need to be focused upon.

It is essential that the proposer and seconder of any candidate must be the resident of that constituency where the contester is contesting, the objector’s counsel argued. He further argued that the ECP had convicted Imran for five years, hence, how could he file nomination papers.

"An application against Imran's disqualification is still pending before the Lahore High Court (LHC)," argued the PTI counsel.

"Did LHC suspend the disqualification," the RO asked. To which the PTI counsel replied that the LHC had not suspended the disqualification and the matter is still pending.

"Do you have any proof to establish that Imran's seconder does not belong to the constituency where he is contesting from," the RO further asked the objector’s counsel.

The objector's counsel argued that there is substantial evidence present and the RO has the authority to reject the nomination papers of the proposers and seconders if they do not belong to the relevant constituency.

He further pointed out that the seconder and proposer did not sign the nomination papers in the presence of Imran. To which PTI's counsel proposed the RO summon the person for satisfaction of his query.

At this point, the supporters present chanted slogans in favour of Imran.
Meanwhile, a lawyer objected to the objector Naseer, claiming he himself is not a resident of the constituency. Naseer’s counsel argued that he belongs to the constituency.

However, Imran's counsel requested the RO for time till tomorrow to satisfy the objections raised against Imran's nomination. .

Objections raised over Imran's NA-122 Lahore nomination papers | The Express Tribune

PTI counsel seeks time till tomorrow to satisfy RO's queries

tribune.com.pk

 

[ghazi52]

PTI staging comeback for polling day ‘surprise’ despite hurdles​

Political situation is becoming really fluid as PTI appears to be staging comeback in elections despite administrative muscle being used to suppress it​

By Ansar Abbasi
December 29, 2023

ISLAMABAD: With general elections less than six weeks away, the political situation is becoming really fluid as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appears to be staging a comeback in the election ring despite the administrative muscle being used to suppress it.

Amid reports of not being allowed to stage public meetings and political rallies, the PTI is getting some major relief from the courts. This has served as a booster for the party, which has been facing serious legal and criminal actions against its top leaders and workers following the May 9 attacks.

PTI supporters wave party flags as they take part in a rally in Karachi on April 10, 2022. — AFP

On the other end, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), which is being seen by many as the ‘King’s Party’, seems to be in sleep mode — doing far less than what it was expected to do to outsmart the under-pressure PTI in Punjab. Despite the alleged administrative support available to it, the PMLN has yet to start its election campaign to mobilize people.

While the PMLN is waiting for a ‘managed miracle’ to bring it to power, the PTI leadership and its supporters have received great encouragement from some recent court decisions. The Supreme Court’s verdict on the cipher case and the Peshawar High Court’s decision against the ECP’s order of withdrawing the PTI’s election symbol of the ‘bat’ have renewed enthusiasm among PTI leaders and workers.

On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court granted a stay order in the cipher trial till January 11 on Imran Khan’s petition against in-camera proceedings of the trial court. After the Supreme Court’s relief in the cipher case, PTI leaders were worried that Imran Khan could be convicted any time in the cipher case by the trial court. Now, following the IHC stay order, the PTI has succeeded in delaying the trial.

The PTI legal team is also keenly pursuing legal options to get Imran Khan’s conviction in the Toshakhana case reversed from the apex court, which took up the matter on Wednesday but because of the unavailability of judges the case will now be heard after judges return from vacations.

If the Supreme Court undoes Imran Khan’s conviction in the Toshakhana case, the founder-chairman of PTI will become eligible to contest the general elections.

PTI leaders claim to have the support of a vast majority among the public and if the ballot paper has the PTI election symbol on election day, the party’s voters will give a surprise.

And in case Imran Khan is allowed to contest the elections, the chances of an electoral surprise by the PTI will increase manifold.

Following the post-May 9 crackdown on the party, it was generally speculated that it would be difficult for the PTI to find candidates to contest in the general elections.

However, PTI candidates have outnumbered all other parties in filing their nomination papers. In fact, the number of PTI candidates who have filed nomination papers for national and provincial assemblies for the Feb 8, 2024 elections is higher than the number of PTI candidates in the 2018 elections.

PTI staging comeback for polling day 'surprise'

ISLAMABAD: With general elections less than six weeks away, the political situation is becoming really fluid as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf appears to be staging a comeback in the election ring...

www.thenews.com.pk

 

[ghazi52]

IK’s nomination papers rejected by ECP​

• PTI accuses the Election Commission of Pakistan of pre-poll rigging ahead of the crucial general elections

Recorder Report
December 31, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Strongly reacting to the rejection of party founding chairman Imran Khan’s nomination papers, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of a pre-poll rigging ahead of the crucial general elections scheduled to be held on February 8 next year.

The returning officers (ROs), appointed by the ECP, rejected nomination papers of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, PTI KP president Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Murad Saeed, Sahibzada Sibghatullah, Dr Amjad Khan, Fazal Hakim Khan, Mian Sharafat, Salimur Rahman, which the party said a politically motivated move to keep the party away from the elections through such tactics. “Had already predicted that ROs will reject PTI candidates’ nomination papers on flimsy grounds.

More rejections of PTI candidates nomination papers by under pressure ROs are expected today,” said PTI secretary general Omar Ayub.

He said that rejection of PTI founding chairman’s nomination papers were rejected through ECP by those who are afraid of his popularity, adding any attempt to keep Imran Khan away from elections will be resisted.

Zulfikar Bukhari, another Khan aide, said his nomination papers had been rejected on the basis that they bore his “fake” signatures.

“Returning officers are accomplice & reason why PTI had requested ROs from Judiciary & not bureaucracy,” Bukhari said in a statement.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

IK’s nomination papers rejected by ECP

PTI accuses the Election Commission of Pakistan of pre-poll rigging ahead of the crucial general elections

www.brecorder.com

 

[ghazi52]

PTI calls rejection of nomination papers ‘state terrorism’​

• Omar Ayub alleges ‘status quo forces’ resorting to underhanded tactics
• Barrister Gohar says ECP failed to perform its constitutional duties

ISLAMABAD: The PTI decried on Saturday the rejection of the nomination papers of several of its election candidates, including Murad Saeed and Sahibzada Sibghatullah.

PTI’s Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan has branded these rejections as “politically motivated”, accusing the “forces of status quo” of resorting to underhanded tactics because they lacked the courage to face the PTI in a free and fair election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr Ayub warned that such “pre-poll rigging” threatened the transparency of the election process, potentially exacerbating political instability and undermining national unity.

He condemned the rejection of the nomination papers of several PTI candidates, including Murad Saeed, Sahibzada Sibghatullah, Dr Amjad Khan, Fazal Hakim Khan, Mian Sharafat and Salimur Rahman.

“I had already predicted that ROs [returning officers] would reject PTI candidates’ nomination papers on flimsy grounds. More rejections of PTI candidates’ nomination papers by under-pressure ROs are expected. These ROs ‘software’ has been duly ‘updated,’” he said in a statement issued on Saturday evening.

He claimed that the forces of status quo represented by parties like the PML-N, PPP, JUI-F and MQM-Pakistan could not face the PTI in a free and fair election and were resorting to these tactics.

“These parties should have the courage to contest against PTI in a free and fair election so that a government emerges as per the will of the people that can steer the country out of its current nightmare,” he said.

Mr Ayub also reacted to the arrest of Umar Dar, the brother of former PTI leader Usman Dar, and described it as an “enforced disappearance”, linking it to a broader pattern of targeting PTI affiliates.

“He is Usman Dar’s brother who was himself an enforced disappearance until his forced interview was telecast.

He is the son of Rehana Dar sahiba, who has submitted her nomination papers from Sialkot to contest against [PML-N leader] Khawaja Asif,“ he added.

He said that Shaheed Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan’s brother, former DIG Rehmatullah Khan, and his other brother, Madad Khan, were also arrested in Mianwali.

‘Murder of democracy’

Meanwhile, PTI’s Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan has also called on the Supreme Court to intervene, labelling the state’s interference in the election process as “open state terrorism”.

“The way the state apparatus, led by a disgraceful ECP and CEC, has first obstructed the submission of papers and then manoeuvred to have the nomination papers of PTI candidates rejected on fake and flimsy grounds speaks volumes of the fraudulent elections that we are headed for,” he said.

Mr Hasan lamented that the entire world was watching the “scene of the murder of democracy” at the hands of the state machinery in Pakistan.

“There is yet time to let sanity return to the fold and take steps to ensure the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections to facilitate a genuinely elected government, which is fully mandated by the people, to take over,” he urged.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Khan said, “Today [Saturday], the first step towards general elections (scrutiny of nomination forms for general seats) is coming to an end.

But up and down the country, the state machinery is in full swing against PTI’s candidates whose proposers and seconders or they themselves are being openly harassed, assaulted and pushed back from ROs’ offices.“

He pointed out that this was the worst kind of misuse of authority and abuse of process, as it was a flagrant failure of the ECP in performing its constitu-tional duties.

“We strongly condemn and deplore this,” he said, urging PTI workers and supporters to stay steadfast until Feb 8, the scheduled date for general elections.

PTI calls rejection of nomination papers ‘state terrorism’

Omar Ayub alleges "status quo forces" resorting to underhanded tactics; Barrister Gohar says ECP failed to perform its constitutional duties.

www.dawn.com

 

[ghazi52]

PTI candidates vow to fight till ‘last ball’​

Our Correspondent
January 1, 2024

TAXILA: Criticising the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the caretaker government after rejection of their nomination papers, leaders and members of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) from Attock on Sunday declared that they would challenge the decisions of the returning officers before the tribunals with the hope of getting justice from the judiciary.

Talking to reporters, lawyers of former PTI MNA retired Major Tahir Sadiq said they would challenge the decision and they would “fight till the last ball”.

Former minister in the cabinet of ex-prime minister Imran Khan, Zulfi Bukhari through his social media account on Sunday stated that his papers had been rejected by the returning officer (RO) after declaring his signatures forged. He termed the RO’s decision ‘ridiculous’.

PTI candidates vow to fight till ‘last ball’

Criticise role of ECP, caretakers during scrutiny process.

www.dawn.com

 

[Dual Wielder]

Imran Khan pleads not guilty on leaking state secrets. A guilty verdict could lead to 10 years in jail

How dare he the legitimate Prime Minster of Pakistan try to expose Bajwa's high treason against the state, GHQ 'selflessly' appointed themselves above the state, even if their nefarious agendas contradicts the constitution.

 

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[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

It's gone beyond first ball or last ball

We are now at stage of , Danda uthao and take back the country if fair elections are not held

Protect your own life , family and homes / neighborhoods

 

[ghazi52]

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[ghazi52]

PTI chief says party will not boycott Feb 8 general election​

Zulfiqar Ahmad

ISLAMABAD: A visibly angered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Gohar Ali Khan on Monday said that the party would jump on the electoral bandwagon even if the iconic bat electoral is snatched from the party and any other symbol is imposed on all coercive vibes.

Speaking at a presser here, he said the party would not boycott the Feb 08 election no matter as it would jump into fray with some other election symbol if its iconic bat symbol is snatched from the party.

He said the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue the intra-party elections notification, but it did not which was contempt of court.

PTI chief says party will not boycott Feb 8 general election

ISLAMABAD: A visibly angered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Gohar Ali Khan on Monday said that the party...

www.brecorder.com

 

[ghazi52]

PTI moves SC in fresh bid to save ‘bat’ electoral symbol​

Says PHC's decision to restore ECP ruling stripping party of symbol "too harsh, irrational and unreasonable to be sustained"

PTI moves SC in fresh bid to save ‘bat’ electoral symbol

Says PHC's decision to restore ECP ruling stripping party of symbol "too harsh, irrational and unreasonable to be sustained".

www.dawn.com

 

[ghazi52]

No ban on airing Imran’s speeches, Pemra tells LHC​

Rana Bilal
January 4, 2024

No ban on airing Imran’s speeches, Pemra tells LHC

Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza directs Pemra to refrain from pressuring TV channels.

www.dawn.com

 

[Fatman17]

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Thank you for sharing sir. I’ll see what he has to say today.

 

[swas]

PTI calls rejection of nomination papers ‘state terrorism’​

• Omar Ayub alleges ‘status quo forces’ resorting to underhanded tactics
• Barrister Gohar says ECP failed to perform its constitutional duties

ISLAMABAD: The PTI decried on Saturday the rejection of the nomination papers of several of its election candidates, including Murad Saeed and Sahibzada Sibghatullah.

PTI’s Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan has branded these rejections as “politically motivated”, accusing the “forces of status quo” of resorting to underhanded tactics because they lacked the courage to face the PTI in a free and fair election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr Ayub warned that such “pre-poll rigging” threatened the transparency of the election process, potentially exacerbating political instability and undermining national unity.

He condemned the rejection of the nomination papers of several PTI candidates, including Murad Saeed, Sahibzada Sibghatullah, Dr Amjad Khan, Fazal Hakim Khan, Mian Sharafat and Salimur Rahman.

“I had already predicted that ROs [returning officers] would reject PTI candidates’ nomination papers on flimsy grounds. More rejections of PTI candidates’ nomination papers by under-pressure ROs are expected. These ROs ‘software’ has been duly ‘updated,’” he said in a statement issued on Saturday evening.

He claimed that the forces of status quo represented by parties like the PML-N, PPP, JUI-F and MQM-Pakistan could not face the PTI in a free and fair election and were resorting to these tactics.

“These parties should have the courage to contest against PTI in a free and fair election so that a government emerges as per the will of the people that can steer the country out of its current nightmare,” he said.

Mr Ayub also reacted to the arrest of Umar Dar, the brother of former PTI leader Usman Dar, and described it as an “enforced disappearance”, linking it to a broader pattern of targeting PTI affiliates.

“He is Usman Dar’s brother who was himself an enforced disappearance until his forced interview was telecast.

He is the son of Rehana Dar sahiba, who has submitted her nomination papers from Sialkot to contest against [PML-N leader] Khawaja Asif,“ he added.

He said that Shaheed Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan’s brother, former DIG Rehmatullah Khan, and his other brother, Madad Khan, were also arrested in Mianwali.

‘Murder of democracy’

Meanwhile, PTI’s Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan has also called on the Supreme Court to intervene, labelling the state’s interference in the election process as “open state terrorism”.

“The way the state apparatus, led by a disgraceful ECP and CEC, has first obstructed the submission of papers and then manoeuvred to have the nomination papers of PTI candidates rejected on fake and flimsy grounds speaks volumes of the fraudulent elections that we are headed for,” he said.

Mr Hasan lamented that the entire world was watching the “scene of the murder of democracy” at the hands of the state machinery in Pakistan.

“There is yet time to let sanity return to the fold and take steps to ensure the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections to facilitate a genuinely elected government, which is fully mandated by the people, to take over,” he urged.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Khan said, “Today [Saturday], the first step towards general elections (scrutiny of nomination forms for general seats) is coming to an end.

But up and down the country, the state machinery is in full swing against PTI’s candidates whose proposers and seconders or they themselves are being openly harassed, assaulted and pushed back from ROs’ offices.“

He pointed out that this was the worst kind of misuse of authority and abuse of process, as it was a flagrant failure of the ECP in performing its constitu-tional duties.

“We strongly condemn and deplore this,” he said, urging PTI workers and supporters to stay steadfast until Feb 8, the scheduled date for general elections.

PTI calls rejection of nomination papers ‘state terrorism’

Omar Ayub alleges "status quo forces" resorting to underhanded tactics; Barrister Gohar says ECP failed to perform its constitutional duties.

www.dawn.com

I am not clear, who has been accused of state terrorism?

Is it PMLN/PPP/Other parties/ECP/Courts or some other entity?