Doubts
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa said that TV channels will not be allowed to create controversy or doubts about upcoming general elections in Pakistan.
In an order issued on Friday, the apex court CJP said that no one from the media will be allowed to take the mic to the public to create doubts about polls.
He said that if any TV channel, anchor, or reporter tried to create controversy about the elections, PEMRA would be asked to take stern action against them.
Qazi Faez Isa said that the general elections will be held on time (Feb 8), as indicated by the Election Commission of Pakistan after meeting with the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi.
The CJP said that all the key stakeholders did raise any objections to the general elections to be held on Feb 8, 2024.
Chief Justice repeatedly asked the representatives of the petitioners, attorney general, and provincial government’s advocate generals if they had any objections about elections on Feb 8, but none of them raised any concern and they fully supported the deadline.
Therefore, the CJP directed the ECP to issue an election schedule to inform the people about polls.
Meanwhile, Qazi Faez Isa also asked the government to ensure the elections are held on time.
The CJP made it clear that the court would not tolerate delay in the upcoming national elections.
Justice Isa closed the case pertaining to the general elections as all the stakeholders showed a consensus on Feb 8 date.
Earlier, the Chief Justice of Pakistan directed the attorney general to get signature of President Alvi on the elections date document. CJP also asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to provide minutes of the meeting of the ECP members wherein the date of general elections was finalized.
Justice Isa said that the apex court does not want to leave any gap or lapse in the decision making about the announcement of general elections date.
President of Pakistan and ECP must be onboard in giving the date for polls, he added.
Meanwhile, the attorney general and ECP presented the record of a meeting between President Alvi and ECP Chief Election Commissioner and members. Documents, however, revealed that the President of Pakistan did not sign any document pertaining to the finalization of elections date.
Therefore, the chief justice has directed attorney general to get signature of President Alvi on the papers involving general elections date.
Earlier, the Chief Election Commissioner, Sikander Sultan Raja, and President Arif Alvi have reached a unanimous decision to hold general elections in the country on February 8, 2024.
This announcement was made by the President’s House in an official statement. President Alvi was informed about the progress made by the top electoral authority regarding constituencies and the election process.
