PTI Slams SC Ruling on Vote Recount Decision, Calls It a ‘Murder of Justice’ in Key NA Constituencies.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders expressed profound disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the vote recount in three National Assembly constituencies, labeling it a “murder of justice.”
The Supreme Court reversed the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) ruling, which had annulled the vote recount in constituencies where Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates were declared winners. The three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, delivered a 2-1 majority verdict favoring the PML-N candidates who had filed appeals. However, Justice Aqeel Abbasi dissented, opposing the ruling in favor of PML-N candidates Azhar Qayyum Nahra, Abdul Rehman Kanju, and Zulfikar Ahmed.
During a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, accompanied by Omar Ayub, Raoof Hasan, and Shibli Faraz, vehemently criticized the verdict. “We are extremely disappointed with the Supreme Court’s ruling. This is nothing short of a murder of justice. Our seats have been handed over to another political party with the stroke of a pen,” Gohar Ali Khan stated.
Gohar Ali Khan further claimed that PTI had been subjected to severe injustice, alleging attempts to strip the party of its symbol to prevent them from contesting elections. “But every time, we emerged victorious,” he added.
He emphasized that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) must ensure free and fair elections, warning that failure to do so should result in accountability. Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz questioned the legitimacy of those declared victorious in the February 8, 2024 elections, citing Form 47 and accusing the authorities of delaying results. Shibli Faraz also criticized the ruling coalition’s actions in parliament, expressing concern over the weakening of the Constitution and vowing to continue PTI’s struggle for voters’ rights.
Raoof Hasan reiterated PTI’s demand for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to recuse himself from cases involving the party’s founding chairman, Imran Khan. “Despite multiple requests, Justice Isa has not withdrawn from these cases. Our sole demand is that he refrains from hearing the cases related to our chairman,” Raoof Hasan asserted.
