ISLAMABAD: The Peshawar High Court on Thursday ruled that a party aligned with candidates backed by former premier Imran Khan was not eligible for extra reserved seats in the legislature, local media widely reported, another blow to the embattled group’s governing prospects.
The decision represents a further setback for Khan, who is in jail following a string of convictions, despite his candidates winning the most seats overall, 93, in the Feb. 8 national election.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party couldn’t contest the election under its traditional electoral symbol, a cricket bat, which was denied on technical grounds. The PTI subsequently struck an alliance with another party, the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), in a bid to secure reserved seats.
On Mar. 4, the Election Commission had ruled that the SIC was not eligible for reserved seats, a decision the alliance had appealed in the Peshawar High Court.
“Petitions are unanimously rejected,” the court said on Thursday.
The Election Commission and Peshawar court decisions will bolster the parliamentary strength of the fragile coalition that has taken oath office, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with support from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Under Pakistan’s election rules, parties are allocated 70 reserved seats — 60 for women, 10 for non-Muslims — in proportion to the number of seats they win. This completes the National Assembly’s total strength of 336 seats.
Khan-backed candidates had to run as independents after the election commission stripped his party its famous cricket bat symbol on ballot papers on grounds that it failed to conduct an intra-party election, a prerequisite for any party to take part in polls.
In fresh blow, Peshawar court declines reserved parliamentary seats to Imran Khan-backed party
https://arab.news/93xxg
In fresh blow, Peshawar court declines reserved parliamentary seats to Imran Khan-backed party
- Decision represents a further setback to Khan who is in jail following a string of convictions
- Peshawar court’s decision will bolster the parliamentary strength of nation’s fragile ruling coalition
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
