SC sticks to election date
SC sticks to order fixing May 14 as election date
Adjourns hearing as govt, PTI to hold talks on 26th
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday adjourned the hearing of a petition seeking simultaneous elections across Pakistan after being told that a meeting had been scheduled between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for April 26.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar are hearing the petition seeking to hold general elections to all the national and provincial assemblies simultaneously.
Earlier, the apex court had directed the coalition government and PTI to hold talks on Thursday and develop a consensus on elections in the country.
However, the proceedings did not resume as the three-judge bench did not appear in the courtroom. Meanwhile, Farooq H Naek, who was representing Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan met with CJP Bandial in his chambers.
The Supreme Court, in its written order, stated that it was “impressed” to note that all political leaders had affirmed their fidelity to the Constitution. It also asserted that it would not go back on its order fixing May 14 as the date for Punjab elections.
The order noted that the Supreme Court has no objection to the negotiation process for holding general elections simultaneously. “Holding elections on the same day across the country is a legal and constitutional question,” it added.
It further said that all executive authorities were bound to implement the decision of the election to Punjab Assembly on May 14.
Referring to CJP’s meeting with Farooq H Naek and AGP Mansoor, the order said that both the representatives informed the chief justice of talks between government and opposition.
A meeting has been scheduled amongst government and opposition on April 26, 2023, the order said, adding that it should be informed of the progress when the hearing resumed on April 27.
After being summoned by the court on Thursday, leaders of various political parties including, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), MQM-P, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and others appeared before the SC amid efforts for consensus in order to end dispute on elections.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) assured the Supreme Court that they will sit with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and try to find a solution on the election date.
At the outset of the hearing, CJP thanked leaders of all political parties for coming to Supreme Court on the important issue. The top judge also appreciated Jamat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq for making efforts to initiate a dialogue between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government.
“You have undertaken a good initiative. May Allah succeed you,” CJP Bandial told the JI chief.
Khawaja Saad Rafique told the court: “[We] are ready to find a solution on the election date by sitting with the opposition.”
‘SC won’t take back Punjab election date’
The CJP made it clear that the date for the election in Punjab is May 14 and the SC will not take back its decision as nobody has challenged it.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till 4 pm and gave time to the political leaders for consultation with their respective leadership.
