Peshawar: Justice Ejaz Anwar has remarked during the hearing of the case that if a political party wants to hold a meeting, Article 144 is imposed, there is no restriction on other parties.
The contempt of court case against not allowing PTI to hold rallies was heard in Peshawar High Court, in which Chief Secretary, Advocate General, DG Law Election Commission appeared before Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice SM Atiq Shah. On this occasion, PTI lawyers and election commission lawyers also appeared in the court.
During the hearing, Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that if a party holds a meeting, crackdown will be started against it. He inquired from the Chief Secretary whether there is a ban on the political running of this political party. If a political party wants to hold a rally, Section 144 is invoked. The rest of the political parties do not have 3 MPOs, nor are there any other restrictions.
Justice Ejaz Anwar said, “Does the situation of law and order arise only because of the meetings of this party?”, to which the Chief Secretary said that he will provide equal opportunities to all. PTI workers convention has been held in Peshawar yesterday. SOPs and placement allow. ANP and JUI did not follow the SOPs, so we rejected them.
Justice SM Atiq Shah remarked that if the court does not intervene, they do not get permission. Justice Ejaz Anwar asked the lawyer of Election Commission that in 5 years you have to conduct one election and nothing else has to be done. If you are asked for something, you say that there is nothing. Did your district officer not report that a party is being targeted?
Justice Ejaz Anwar said that he appointed caretaker ministers who are now participating in the elections. Lawyer Election Commission said that they will also see these ministers, where there is a violation of the law, we will take action. Justice Ijaz Anwar said that tell the district officer that if a party is targeted somewhere, you intervene.
The lawyer said that this is the effort of the Election Commission to give a level playing field to all the parties. Justice SM Atiq Shah said that there is noise in national and international media that level playing field is not being provided to one party and you are saying that we have not received any complaint.
Later, Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that the Chief Secretary and the Election Commission deal with the request on the assurance of a level playing field. The court disposed of the contempt petition on the assurance of the Chief Secretary.
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