ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Wednesday withdrew a petition seeking the restoration of its election symbol filed in the country’s top court, saying the matter was currently adjudicated by the Peshawar High Court that was likely to issue its verdict later today.
The country’s election regulatory authority issued an order on December 22, ruling the PTI intraparty polls null and void for violating its regulations and taking away “cricket bat” as its election symbol.
The PTI moved the Peshawar High Court (PHC) against the ECP decision that led to the restoration of the party symbol. However, the court upheld the ECP order in a review petition, making the party take its case to the Supreme Court while the PHC was still conducting its proceedings.
“The main case is pending in the Peshawar High Court and the hearing was held for five hours yesterday,” said the newly elected PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan while speaking to the media outside the top court. “The judges adjourned the hearing for 9 [am] today.”
“The court observed the decision [in the matter] would most likely be announced [today],” he continued. “Keeping this in mind, the petition we had filed in the Supreme Court against the interim [high court] order became infructuous [or unnecessary] … We have withdrawn the plea from the Supreme Court.”
Election symbols are crucial in Pakistan where the adult literacy rate is just 58 percent, according to World Bank data.
The cricket bat 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, propelling him to an unrivaled position among the country’s cricket greats.
Political analysts say without the restoration of their election symbol, the PTI leaders will have to contest the upcoming elections as independent candidates.
This will also deprive the party of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies for women and religious minorities.
Ex-PM Khan’s party retracts Supreme Court petition for election symbol restoration ahead of Feb. 8 polls
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Ex-PM Khan’s party retracts Supreme Court petition for election symbol restoration ahead of Feb. 8 polls
- The new PTI chairman says the decision was taken since the Peshawar High Court was also looking into the matter
- Pakistan’s election body took away ‘cricket bat’ as Khan’s party symbol while declaring its intraparty polls null and void
Pakistan raises fuel prices by Rs55 per liter as Middle East conflict drives oil surge
- Government says adequate fuel stocks in place despite global energy shock
- Oil prices jump from about $78 to over $106 per barrel amid regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter each as escalating conflict in the Middle East sent global oil prices sharply higher and disrupted energy supply routes, officials said.
Global oil markets have been rattled since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began last week, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears of disruption to key energy shipping routes and pushing petroleum prices sharply upward.
The price adjustment in Pakistan was announced after a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who said the government was monitoring international energy markets and domestic supply conditions amid the crisis.
“So, the decision we have made by changing the levy a little bit is that we are going ahead with increasing the price of both fuels, petrol and diesel, by Rs55 ($0.20),” Malik told reporters.
“And as soon as this matter settles, we will revise the prices downward with the same speed and take steps on how to increase people’s income and purchasing power.”
He said Pakistan entered the crisis with “comfortable energy reserves” due to earlier planning but rising global prices had forced the government to adjust domestic fuel rates to maintain supply continuity.
He said international petrol prices had climbed from roughly $78 per barrel on March 1 to around $106.8 per barrel, while diesel prices had risen to about $150 per barrel.
Malik added that the government had taken steps to minimize the burden on consumers, noting diesel plays a critical role in agriculture, transportation and public mobility.
Malik also warned that authorities would take strict action against anyone attempting to hoard fuel or manipulate supply for profiteering.
The minister said Pakistan was working with international partners to secure additional energy supplies, including arrangements with Saudi Aramco and the use of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels to transport crude oil imports.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said a high-level government committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been meeting daily to review developments in global petroleum markets and their potential impact on Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan currently maintains adequate energy stocks and macroeconomic stability,” Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s response was based on preparedness rather than panic.
He said the committee, which includes senior ministers, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and other officials, was assessing short-, medium- and long-term implications of the crisis for inflation, foreign exchange reserves and broader economic indicators.
Deputy PM Dar said the regional conflict had significantly disrupted global energy markets, with international petroleum prices rising by as much as 50–70 percent in recent days.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan was also engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the region.
Petroleum prices will now be reviewed more frequently, potentially on a weekly basis, and any reduction in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to global oil price shocks that can quickly feed into inflation and pressure the country’s external accounts.
