The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reinstated the notification of the victories of three Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates who won elections from Islamabad’s all three constituencies.
Anjum Aqeel, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Raja Khurram Nawaz are declared winners of NA-46, NA-47, and NA-48, respectively by the ECP after rejecting objections raised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The PTI had initially contested the ECP’s notification by approaching the Islamabad High Court (IHC). However, the court dismissed the petition and referred the matter back to the election commission.
The IHC bench, consisting of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, heard the intra-court appeals filed by PTI-backed candidates Barrister Shoaib Shaheen, Aamer Mughal, and Ali Bokhari.
The ECP informed the court that the returning officer had been instructed to provide a report on the matter.
Following a thorough examination of the case, the Election Commission issued a notification in accordance with the IHC’s order dated February 19, 2024.
The injunctive order, suspending the operation of the notification dated February 11, 2024, regarding the returned candidates of NA-46 ICT-I, NA-47 ICT-II, and NA-48 ICT-III, was reinstated retrospectively.
The ECP concluded the petitions filed by Aamer Masood, Shoaib Shaheen, and Syed Muhammad Ali Bokhari, among others, in light of the IHC’s order.
Addressing the media outside the ECP, PML-N’s Tariq Fazal Chaudhry criticized his rivals for generating controversy over the election results and advised the PTI against fighting the state.
Chaudhry asserted that they were prepared for a political battle, holding Form 45 from all three constituencies to present at any forum.
Accusing the PTI of fraudulent activities and misleading the high court, the PML-N leader affirmed their commitment to a fair political contest.
