ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court (PHC), seeking a review of a ruling by its single-judge bench that restored cricket bat as the election symbol of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party.
The election oversight body on Dec. 22 ruled that intraparty polls of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, held earlier this month, violated regulations and declared them null and void. As a result, the ECP had stripped the party of its electoral symbol.
The PTI subsequently petitioned the PHC against the ECP’s move and the high court on Dec. 26 suspended the election regulator’s decision and restored bat as the PTI’s electoral symbol, which is reflective of ex-PM Khan’s past as a successful cricketer who led Pakistan to their only 50-over World Cup win in 1992.
In its review petition filed on Saturday, the election regulator stated that “the interim relief so granted vide order dated 26th December 2023 is against the law as well as the dictum laid by the Honorable Supreme Court” and was prima facie “beyond territorial jurisdiction” of the PHC.
“The subject matter of the titled writ petition [filed by the PTI] falls within the exclusive domain of the [election] commission and as a general rule not open to judicial review while exercising jurisdiction under Article 199 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the ECP said in its review petition.
“The constitution unambiguously vests the powers and jurisdiction in the commission to make factual determinations in regard to subject matter of writ petition.”
The ECP’s decision to strip the PTI of the symbol came days after a disgruntled PTI leader, Akbar S. Babar, challenged the PTI’s intraparty elections in the ECP, urging the watchdog to declare the exercise null and void for violating rules. Babar contended the PTI had neither displayed a final list of candidates nor was any paperwork done for the polls.
Election symbols are crucial in Pakistan where the adult literacy rate is just 58 percent, according to the World Bank data. Without the bat symbol, analysts say, the PTI’s nominees would have to contest the upcoming elections, scheduled for Feb. 8, as independent candidates.
Khan, who is in prison since August after being convicted in a graft case, has accused Pakistan’s powerful military, the ECP, and the caretaker government of colluding with his rivals to keep him and the PTI away from the elections. The Pakistani military, the election regulator, and the caretaker government deny the allegation.
Pakistan regulator seeks review of court decision restoring ‘bat’ as ex-PM Khan party’s poll symbol
https://arab.news/9wxkn
Pakistan regulator seeks review of court decision restoring ‘bat’ as ex-PM Khan party’s poll symbol
- The Peshawar High Court on Dec. 26 restored the poll symbol, which is reflective of Khan’s past as cricketer
- The Election Commission of Pakistan says the ruling by the high court was beyond its ‘territorial jurisdiction’
Traders estimate $18 million losses as rescue operations continue after Karachi mall inferno
- DNA testing underway to identify victims still missing after blaze destroys 1,200 shops
- Emergency services dispatched on Tuesday to another fire at Karachi’s New Vegetable Market
KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Karachi’s business community on Tuesday estimated losses of about $18 million after a devastating fire tore through a major shopping plaza in the city, with rescue teams continuing search and recovery operations at the site amid fears that more victims may still be trapped under the debris.
The fire broke out late Saturday at Gul Plaza, a multi-story shopping complex in Karachi’s congested Saddar area, spreading rapidly through the building, which has over 1,200 shops, and trapping workers and shoppers inside. Recovery efforts have been slowed by severe structural damage and fears of collapse, officials said.
Dr. Summaiya Syed, Karachi’s chief police surgeon, said 20 deaths had been confirmed so far, with identification still underway for several bodies recovered from the site.
Karachi has a long history of deadly fires in commercial buildings, often blamed on overcrowding, aging infrastructure and weak enforcement of fire safety regulations in a city of more than 20 million people.
Atiq Mir, president of the Karachi Tajir Ittehad, which represents around 600,000 small traders across the city, said assessments by traders now put the financial damage from the Gul Plaza fire at nearly Rs5 billion ($18 million), far higher than initial estimates.
“The plaza had at least 8000-10,000 laborers and then those affiliated to them. We can easily say nearly 10,000 families have been affected by this fire,” Mir told Arab News.
He urged the government to announce a compensation grant of at least Rs5 billion ($18 million) and said the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry would be the most appropriate body to oversee transparent distribution of relief funds.
On Monday, the provincial government of Sindh said it would provide Rs10 million ($36,000) in compensation to the family of each person killed in the Gul Plaza fire.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also announced the formation of a joint committee involving provincial officials and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to assess losses and oversee rehabilitation of affected traders. He said authorities were exploring temporary arrangements to relocate 1,000 to 1,200 shops so businesses could resume operations as quickly as possible.
Citing past precedents such as the Bolton Market arson and the Cooperative Market fire, Shah said similar compensation and recovery mechanisms had previously helped traders rebuild their livelihoods and would guide the current response.
On Tuesday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said heavy machinery had been deployed to clear debris and allow access to Gul Plaza’s basement, where search teams believe victims may still be trapped.
“Under all circumstances, the rescue operation must be completed and the search for victims further accelerated,” Wahab said during a visit to the site, according to a statement.
“All departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will remain on alert until every missing person is traced and the operation is concluded.”
As rescue operations intensified at Gul Plaza, emergency services were dispatched to another fire at Karachi’s New Vegetable Market, officials said, underscoring persistent safety challenges.
Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad said fire brigade units and Rescue 1122 teams were immediately deployed and the blaze was brought under control.
“The fire is under control and there is no danger,” Murad said, adding that the affected area had been secured and cooling operations were underway.
Police officials said no casualties were reported in the vegetable market incident.
