The ECP in a notification had asked Imran Khan not to participate in election rallies. The petition stated that ban on participating in rallies was unconstitutional and consequently be declared annul. Imran Khan on Tuesday challenged the ruling of the ECP in IHC, seeking the court's direction for annulling the ECP's decision. The directives were issued after a hearing of the case in IHC by Justice Amir Farooq. The PTI's plea was accepted by the judge whereas the attorney general of Pakistan was summoned by the court for assistance.
In his arguments, PTI lawyer Dr Babar Awan said that prime minister, chief ministers, ministers and those holding any official post cannot run an electoral campaign whereas ECP's notifications against Imran Khan were violation of Article-15; therefore, they should be annulled. The court remarked that the case faces significant constitutional questions, therefore, the Attorney General of Pakistan should provide assistance to the court.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017