Awaam Pakistan is seeking an urgent hearing from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after the electoral watchdog moved to delist the party for failing to conduct mandatory intra-party elections.

Led by former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the party has officially challenged the ECP’s decision, labeling the move as "unwarranted" and legally flawed. The party leadership maintains that they have met the necessary legal requirements and that the commission’s punitive action lacks sufficient justification.

Challenging the ECP delisting decision

The dispute centers on the legal requirement for all registered political parties to hold transparent internal elections. The ECP, acting under its mandate to ensure democratic accountability within political organizations, initiated delisting proceedings against Awaam Pakistan, claiming the party missed critical deadlines for these internal polls.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s legal team argues that the Awaam Pakistan delisting process was initiated without providing the party a fair opportunity to explain its position or rectify any procedural lapses. By filing this petition for an urgent hearing, the party aims to stay the commission's order and prevent the loss of their official registration, which would bar them from participating in future electoral processes.

What the law requires

Under the Elections Act, 2017, all registered parties must periodically hold internal elections to select their office-bearers. Failure to comply can result in the revocation of a party's registration, effectively stripping them of their right to contest elections under a specific platform.

For a party like Awaam Pakistan, which positions itself as a reformist alternative, losing its registration would be a significant setback. The party has been vocal about its critique of the current political landscape and the need for structural changes in how political organizations are governed.

What to watch next

  • The ECP is expected to review the request for an urgent hearing within the coming days.
  • If the commission denies the request, the party may escalate the matter to the Islamabad High Court.
  • Supporters and observers should monitor the official ECP website at ecp.gov.pk for updates on the party’s registration status.

Whether the commission accepts the party’s explanation or maintains its stance will set a precedent for how strictly the ECP enforces internal election timelines for newer political entities. For now, the party’s political future rests on the outcome of this legal challenge.