PESHAWAR (Daily Point) — The Peshawar High Court (PHC) overturned the stay order on Wednesday, nullifying the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to invalidate PTI’s intra-party polls and strip them of their election symbol, the bat.

Justice Ejaz Khan, in a verdict reserved hours earlier, declared that the earlier stay order hindered the election process. The court directed the ECP to proceed with the election process as per its constitutional mandate.

The PHC’s decision came in response to the ECP’s review petition against the PHC’s December 26 decision, which had temporarily restored PTI’s ‘bat’ symbol. The ECP had initially declared PTI’s intra-party polls illegal on December 22.

Despite the setback, PTI may still pursue legal options, with a division bench hearing scheduled in the PHC on the 9th and the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court. Barrister Asad Rahim Khan mentioned the potential Supreme Court option, highlighting the significance of the matter for the party.

Former PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, speaking in Rawalpindi, expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would provide relief, emphasizing the adverse impact on democracy due to the day’s decision. He indicated that if necessary, PTI ticket holders might run as independent candidates.

During the hearing, PTI’s legal team asserted the party’s commitment to free and fair elections, while questioning the ECP’s authority to challenge the high court’s ruling. The ECP’s counsel clarified that they were not removing any party from the list but expected adherence to electoral laws.

The unfolding legal developments add uncertainty to PTI’s electoral prospects ahead of the scheduled general elections on February 8.