Important developments took place in the Supreme Court on Monday regarding cases related to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan withdrew several appeals during the hearing, including those involving Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz.
During the proceedings, Barrister Gohar informed the court that the appeal challenging Omar Ayub’s disqualification was being withdrawn on his instructions, as he was no longer contesting elections. He added that Omar Ayub’s wife would now contest the election for his seat.
Similarly, the appeal challenging the removal of Shibli Faraz from the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Senate was also withdrawn. However, Barrister Gohar requested the court to issue notice on the appeal against Shibli Faraz’s disqualification. The court accepted the request and issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for October 29.
The bench noted that the Senate by-election on Shibli Faraz’s vacant seat is scheduled for October 30, therefore the matter will be heard a day earlier.
During the hearing, the court asked whether the accused had surrendered, to which Barrister Gohar responded that neither Omar Ayub nor Shibli Faraz had surrendered so far. He clarified that the issue was civil in nature rather than criminal, and the party intended to pursue the case regarding Shibli Faraz.
Barrister Gohar further stated that the appeal against the de-notification of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly was also being withdrawn, as a notification has already been issued appointing Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the new opposition leader.
Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan asked whether Omar Ayub surrendered after being granted protective bail. Barrister Gohar replied in the negative. Justice Shakeel Ahmed inquired about the schedule of the Senate by-election, to which Barrister Gohar confirmed that it would take place on October 30. Justice Ahmed remarked that the time allocated for the by-election was very short.
The constitutional bench concluded the proceedings by setting the case for hearing on October 29.
