Islamabad (Pakistan News): The Election Commission of Pakistan has reserved its decision in the case related to the intra-party elections of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
A five-member commission headed by the Chief Election Commissioner heard the case. During the hearing, Special Secretary Political Finance informed the commission that TLP had submitted a reply to the show-cause notice. The Chief Election Commissioner asked whose signatures were present on the written response.
The Special Secretary said the reply was signed by Bilal Qadri, who has been listed as the party's permanent election commissioner. A member of the Election Commission asked who the current leader of the party was and who had authorized the election commissioner.
Officials informed the commission that the terms of party office-bearers had ended in December 2025 and there was currently no party leader. The written response stated that several attempts had been made to conduct intra-party elections, but the elections could not be held because party offices had been sealed.
During the hearing, the Chief Election Commissioner asked TLP's lawyer whom he was representing. The lawyer said he was representing Chairman Election Authority Bilal Qadri.
The Chief Election Commissioner remarked that the commission first wanted to be satisfied regarding the authority of the power of attorney. He asked whether any party leader currently existed. The lawyer replied that a leader existed but was not being presented.
The lawyer said Bilal Qadri was arrested in October 2025 and, after being released on bail in June 2026, he conducted TLP's intra-party elections.
The Chief Election Commissioner asked whether the Election Commission's decision to reject the request for an extension for holding elections had been challenged before any judicial forum. He also asked whether the commission had been informed 15 days before the intra-party elections.
TLP's lawyer replied that prior notice was not given, but requested that justice be provided considering the circumstances and that the intra-party elections be recognized.
After completion of arguments, the Election Commission reserved its decision in the TLP intra-party elections case.
It is worth noting that on June 17, the Election Commission had reserved decisions on three matters related to TLP. TLP's intra-party elections were scheduled to be held on December 28, 2025, while focal person Raja Amir had requested a one-year extension for holding the elections.