PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) dismissed a petition filed by former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, which sought to contest the classification of PTI assembly members as independents. The court delivered its reserved verdict, effectively rejecting Gandapur’s challenge.
Gandapur had petitioned the court against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to designate lawmakers affiliated with PTI as independent members. He also questioned the validity of Election Rules 94, alleging that the ECP exceeded its legal authority in making this classification.
During the hearing, Gandapur’s legal representative argued that the Election Commission incorrectly declared PTI members independent despite their ongoing affiliation with the party. The ECP’s lawyer countered, stating that the issue had already been addressed by higher courts, including a five-member bench of the Peshawar High Court and the Supreme Court, which had issued rulings concerning reserved seats.
Additionally, counsel for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) noted that the constitutional bench had already examined review petitions on the matter, leaving no scope for further litigation.
Concluding the case, the court reaffirmed that the question had been settled by previous rulings, and therefore, Gandapur’s legal challenge was dismissed, ending his attempt to contest the ECP’s decision.
