The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has suspended the High Court’s June 23 order restoring the interim registration of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and constituted a full bench to hear the case.
Following the ruling, PTI has once again lost its interim status as a registered political party in Azad Kashmir, putting its traditional election symbol, the bat, on hold until the court issues a final decision.
The Supreme Court heard an appeal challenging the High Court’s June 23 decision, which had directed the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to register PTI Azad Kashmir as a political party.
A full bench headed by Chief Justice Saeed Akram Raja suspended the High Court’s order and scheduled a detailed hearing for July 02, when both sides will present their arguments.
Earlier, the Azad Kashmir High Court had ordered the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to grant Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Azad Kashmir interim registration as a political party.
Following the Supreme Court’s stay order, PTI will not be able to secure its election symbol for the time being. As a result, the party’s candidates may have to contest the elections as independents until a final court decision is announced.
It should be noted that the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for July 27, and the election schedule has already been issued. Various political parties have also announced their candidates for the upcoming polls.
Following this judicial development, the political atmosphere has become more intense, and it is expected to have a significant impact on PTI’s election strategy.
The hearing scheduled in the Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 2 will determine the future of PTI’s registration and its election symbol, a matter that remains under close attention in political circles.
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