Supreme Court resumes hearing of delay in elections case today
ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan resumed the hearing of the delay in elections in Punjab on Friday.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandia is heading the bench, comprising Justice Ejazul Ahsan and Justice Munib.
Last month, the CJP advised the government and the political parties to sit together and develop a consensus for holding elections on the same day.
The court also gave April 27 final deadline to the government to release Rs 21 billion for elections in Punjab and KP.
The government, however, sent the matter to the National Assembly which turned down the demand of the apex court.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court pointed out that the talks between the PDM-led government and political parties were their own decision and the court did not give them any order.
“The Court appreciates the efforts of all parties to try to end the current political impasse and in particular their voluntary agreement to enter into negotiations to choose a single date for holding General Elections to the National Assembly and the four Provincial Assemblies,” according to the verdict of the three-member bench.
ECP challenges Supreme Court decision to hold elections
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan has challenged the Supreme Court’s decision in the SC saying the judiciary cannot fix the election date.
The ECP, therefore, asked the apex court to review its decision about holding the elections on May 14 in Punjab.
The Commission also asked the Supreme Court not to intervene in the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The Commission filed a 14-page petition with the Supreme Court on Wednesday. In its petition, the ECP said the superior court should review its decision because the judiciary ‘doesn’t have the authority to give the date of elections.’
The review petition was filed shortly after PTI said that it would submit a report of the talks with the government in the Supreme Court, urging the court to implement its verdict on polls in Punjab.
“It is most respectfully prayed that the Court may accept the instant Review Petition by revisiting, reviewing, reconsidering, and recalling SC’s Impunged Order/Judgment dated 04.04.2023, in the interest of justice and equity,” the petition says.
PTI submits talks report with SC
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf has submitted a report to the Supreme Court about its talks with the government regarding elections on the same day.
The government and PTI leaders held talks as per the order of the CJP to evolve a consensus on holding elections on the same day in the country.
The Supreme Court is taking up hearing this case on Friday (May 5).
So far, the government and the PTI could not decide on a date for holding nationwide elections.
It was learned that the PDM government has turned down the demand of the PTI to dissolve the National Assembly, Sindh, and Balochistan Assemblies before May 14 to hold fresh elections.
