The Supreme Court has made exceptions to remarks by British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. At a public event, she emphasized the importance of democracy, elections, and open societies.
On instructions from Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the court’s registrar, Jazeela Aslam, wrote a letter to Ms. Marriott on May 3. The letter noted the British government’s call for open societies and democracy. It also criticized the Supreme Court’s decision through Ms. Marriott’s speech at the Asma Jehangir Conference on April 27.
The letter expressed displeasure with the January 13 Supreme Court judgement, which ruled against allotting the election symbol bat to the PTI. The registrar’s letter explained that the Elections Act 2017 required intra-party elections to prevent autocracy.
“The Supreme Court reiterated what the law stipulated,” Jazeela Aslam wrote. “The criticism regarding this decision, with utmost respect, was unjustified.”
Ms. Marriott emphasized that democracy should never be taken for granted. She cited Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remarks on high voter turnout despite concerns about fairness and inclusivity.
“Not all political parties were permitted to contest the elections,” the high commissioner said. “The legal process was used to prevent some political parties from participating and using a recognized party symbol.”
The registrar explained that elections in Pakistan must occur within 90 days after the National Assembly and provincial legislatures complete their tenures. Disagreements between the president and the ECP caused delays in setting the election date. The Supreme Court resolved the matter in 12 days, and general elections occurred on February 8.
The letter appreciated the high commissioner’s emphasis on open societies. It noted that the Supreme Court recognized the right to information and applied it to itself. “For the first time in Pakistan’s history, cases of public importance began to be broadcast live,” the letter stated.
Copies of the registrar’s letter were sent to Lord Robert John Reed, President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and Baroness Sue Lascelles Carr, Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales.
