PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed concerns over the Supreme Court’s decision on the party’s electoral symbol ‘bat,’ fearing that it could lead to increased horse-trading. The top court had upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to declare the PTI’s intra-party polls as unconstitutional and revoke its symbol. This means that the party’s members will now be contesting the elections as independent candidates. Barrister Gohar worries that this change could result in more horse-trading and floor crossing during important elections such as the Senate, prime minister, president, National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, and chief ministers.
He expressed hope that independent candidates affiliated with the PTI would remain loyal to the party and explained that the PTI had a “plan C” to regain its lost reserved seats. The party plans to circulate the election symbols of candidates affiliated with it so that people would be aware of who to vote for in the upcoming elections. Barrister Gohar also mentioned that the PTI would file a review appeal against the SC judgment and expressed dissatisfaction with the raid at his residence over the weekend. He said that the PTI would not boycott elections and would fully participate in them. The party had also withdrawn its plea seeking contempt proceedings against the ECP for not implementing the Court’s orders of providing a level playing field for the upcoming general elections.
The Court’s decision is seen as a significant blow to the party, as it will now have to contest the elections independently, without its iconic bat symbol. The PTI has expressed discontent with the decision and worries that it may lead to an increase in corrupt practices like horse-trading.