(Web Desk) - The Supreme Court has lambasted the recent speech of British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriot who targeted the country’s general election held in February 2024.
Speaking at the Asma Jahangir conference last month, Marriot expressed concern about Pakistan's elections on Feb 8, citing British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
"...not all parties were formally permitted to contest the elections and that legal processes were used to prevent some political leaders from participation, and to prevent the use of recognisable party symbols," the top diplomat from Britain had stated.
She continued that as "open societies" are transparent, Pakistan's government, civil society, and international stakeholders should endeavour to foster "open societies" and "vibrant democracies."
SC letter to envoy
In a letter to the envoy, the registrar of the apex court stated that her criticism of a certain political party being marginalised by having its electoral symbol removed was baseless since it did not adhere to the law.
The letter said elections were required to be held within 90 days of the completion of the tenure of the national and provincial assemblies.
However, it did not happen because then president Arif Alvi and the ECP were at odds regarding who was empowered to announce the election date.
"The matter was resolved in just 12 days by the Supreme Court, and general elections were held throughout Pakistan on 8 February 2024," the registrar said.
The registrar said the law enacted by Parliament (Elections Act, 2017) requires democracy within political parties via the holding of intra-party elections.
It mentioned that if a political party does not hold intra-party elections, then it would not be eligible for an election symbol.
"A political party (which had itself voted in this law) did not hold the mandated intra-party elections. The Supreme Court reiterated what the law stipulated," the letter said.
Therefore, the registrar said: "...your Excellency’s criticism with regard to this decision, with utmost respect, was unjustified".