The Supreme Court has begun hearing a private petition seeking the February 8 general elections to be declared null and void due to alleged violations of democratic norms and electoral integrity.

Filed by an individual named Ali Khan, the petition urged the court to order new elections within 30 days to be held under the direct supervision and oversight of the judiciary “to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability”.

A three-member bench — led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and also including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali — is presiding over the hearing.

As the petitioner did not appear before the court today, the CJP asked where he was. At this, Justice Mazhar noted that Ali had requested on February 13 to withdraw his plea.

CJP Isa then ordered that the petitioner be presented before the court and instructed the relevant police station’s station house officer to ensure that Ali appeared before the court.

“Such a prank cannot be played on the Supreme Court. Bring the petitioner from wherever and present him before the court,” Justice Isa remarked, adding that the bench would hear the petition.