Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reserved seats for women candidate Kanwal Shauzaib on Monday filed a contempt of court petition against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and the commission's members for failing to implement the July 12 order of the Supreme Court.
In the short judgment issued through an 8-5 majority on July 12, 2024, the Supreme Court had directed the ECP to ensure that reserved seats for women and non-Muslims are filled proportionally to the seats obtained by each party while it recognised the PTI as a parliamentary party and noted that successful independent candidates who had joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) had actually contested on either PTI tickets or were PTI-backed hence should be allowed to join the PTI.
The petitioner argued that the ECP had failed to implement the top court's directive over three months after the short order was issued. Since then, the court had issued the detailed verdict as well and two clarifications reiterating the importance of immediately enacting the court's order. However, Shauzaib argued that the ECP's inaction was undermining the top court's authority and the rights of underrepresented groups in the electoral process.
In the five-page petition, a copy of which is available with The Friday Times, highlighted the importance of adhering to judicial orders to maintain the integrity of the electoral system. It alleged that the ECP has not taken the necessary steps outlined in the court's decision, thus prompting this action for contempt.
In her petition, Shauzaib demanded that the court initiate contempt proceedings against ECP members for disregarding the Supreme Court's orders and urged that they be subjected to appropriate punishment. She also requests the court to direct the ECP to comply with the judgment, ensuring the rights of women and minorities are safeguarded in the electoral process.