The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has welcomed the Supreme Court order upholding the verdict, describing it as an ‘historic decision’. ‘PTI was one, is one, and will remain one: there is no forward block,’ said PTI chairman Barrister Gauhar Ali Khan. 

 At a joint press conference in the Red Mosque’s complex in Islamabad, the barrister Gauhar Ali Khan said the party would provide the Election Commission with all documents necessary by Monday or Tuesday. As the Supreme Court wishes. 

Supreme Court’s Ruling: Rewriting the Constitution?

 Students protest against the Supreme Court’s verdict in Karachi in February 2012. Photo by Aamir Qureshi/AFP/GettyIt seemed to Rana Sanaullah, Pakistan’s interior minister, like a new constitution had been written. That’s what he told reporters at the press conference the day after the Supreme Court’s surprising ruling. That’s the fear I’ve heard from the opposition to the ruling.

PTI’s Intra-Party Elections and the Election Commission’s Role

 The PTI barrister Gauhar Ali Khan further explained their party’s attempts to conduct intra-party elections in 2022, which were ruled out by the Election Commission: The Election Commission issued three verdicts so far since 2022 which are against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf or Mian sahib, and all the verdicts are in bad faith. They were made in bad faith, they were not bonafidemon bonafide, they are all null and void. Intra-party elections of the PTI were held in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and the Election Commission of Pakistan annulled these elections on the basis of malafide intention ex mero motu.

 Pointing out that the Supreme Court decision reinstated PTI as a bona fide political party, Gauhar said: ‘PTI has issued party tickets across the country. These ticket-holders were deprived of these tickets despite the fact that they were legal. We continue to be committed to submitting the documents to the Election Commission by Monday or Tuesday next week.

Opposition’s Perspective: A Call for Accountability

 The Opposition Leader Umar Ayub Khan, speaking at the press conference, said that those who ‘misinterpreted the constitution’ should themselves be brought under Article 6 (which applies to high treason). He asked for the immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, and said that through this Supreme Court verdict, ‘justice has been done’. Umar extended ‘heartfelt congratulations’ to the people of Pakistan. 

 He recalled the role of the founding chairman of PTI that held the constitution, the law, ethics and justice in high esteem and the victory a clear manifestation of the principle.

A Landmark Decision in Pakistan’s Democratic and Judicial History

 ‘It will go in the golden words in the history of democratic, judicial and political Pakistan,’ remarked Shibli Faraz, who was at the presser. Faraz, a senator, former editor of Pakistan’s leading daily newspaper and paid agent of the prime minister, made the case that the Supreme Court’s decision was a vindication of ‘the parliamentary process and way forward’ for Pakistan. He emphasised that it was ‘part of a historic journey to our democracy’.

Conclusion

 The decision of the Supreme Court has already prompted intense responses from the main political players. PTI’s leadership sees it as a validation of their struggle and as a historical validation of their party’s constitutional legitimacy. It also highlights the fierce debates and problems associated with the interpretation and application of constitutional principles in Pakistan today. As PTI prepares to implement the Supreme Court directives, the days ahead promise to be turbulent on the political front.