Polls delay case: PPP, PML-N assure SC of holding dialogue with PTI

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday directed the political parties to sit together on elections today and update the bench hearing same date election case latest by 4pm, ARY News reported. 

A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar is hearing the election delay case.

After being summoned by the court, 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 Siraj ul 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.

PPP, PML-N assure SC of holding talks with SC 

During today’s hearing, PPP’s Farooq H Naek and PML-N’s Khawaja Saad Rafique assured the three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial of holding talks with the opposition party after Eidul Fitr.

Read more: SC warns of ‘dire consequences’ over non-provision of election funds

PPP’s lawyer said that the coalition government is a point of view that the deadline for holding elections in 90 days has passed, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is already in contact with Fazlur Rehman for talks with the opposition party. “We will hold talks with PTI so agitation ends,” Naek told the Supreme Court.

Naek further said that political matters should be settled between the political parties and no other institution to be allowed to intervene.

While Khawaja Saad Rafique told the court: “[We] are ready to find a solution on the election date by sitting with the opposition.”

Qureshi, Sheikh Rasheed fear govt may prolong talks 

After being asked by the CJP if his party was okay with the SC’s advice on holding talks, PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi replied: “PTI believes that the country should move ahead with constitutional supremacy. PTI always believes in the Constitution, whatever the Supreme Court orders we will accept it.”

The former foreign minister said PTI does not want chaos in the country and has never backed from political dialogue. The resolutions passed by the Parliament cannot be considered superior to the Constitution.

Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed expressing his views in the courtroom said the nation stands firmly united with the judiciary. The decision of the SC will be appreciated by the masses.

Commenting on the assurance of talks, Rasheed said politicians never back from negotiations, but talks should be ‘constructive’.

‘SC won’t take back Punjab election date’

CJP Bandial remarked that court verdicts create complications. “It’s a blessing if the political parties settle the matter through mutual understanding,” he added.

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.

“Negotiations can be successful if it’s a two-way street. It is requested that the party leaders sit today, rather than after Eid,” said CJP Bandial.

The top judge also suggested that elections can be held in July after Eid Ul Azha as suggested by JI chief.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till 4 pm and gave time to the political leaders for consultation with their respective leadership.

Yesterday’s hearing 

During the hearing on Wednesday, the AGP told the SC that except one, all political parties have agreed to negotiate with the opposition.

All parties are agreeing to hold talks, AGP Awan said, adding if the court allowed some time, matters could be settled.

“If all the political parties adopt a common stance, the court can make some room,” the chief justice noted.

Background

It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court – in its April 4 order – declared Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone elections to the Punjab Assembly till October 8 “unconstitutional” and fixed May 14 as new date.

However, the National Assembly later passed a resolution rejecting the three-member Supreme Court bench’s verdict on the Punjab polls, stating that it would not provide funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for polls.

Following the government’s move, the Supreme Court (SC) directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to release a total of Rs21 billion to the election commission for holding polls, but the central bank did not release the funds even after the deadline passed.