Polls date: CJP says implementation of constitution is his duty

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) on Monday served notices to the federal and provincial governments in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) review plea against its verdict of holding elections in Punjab on May 14, the deadline which expired, yesterday, ARY News reported.

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

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial is hearing the ECP’s plea on May 15. Justice Ejazul Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar are the other members of the bench.

At the outset of the hearing, CJP Bandial said ECP has raised ‘good’ points in its review petition.

Earlier, ECP told about the problems of funds and security but now it has challenged the ambit of the Supreme Court.

The points raised by ECP were not raised earlier. We want to hear ECP on the admissibility of the plea, the CJP remarked.

PTI’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar in his arguments before the SC said new points cannot be raised in the review petition. Objecting Zafar, ECP’s counsel Sharjeel Swati said new points can be raised in the review petition as the ambit is not narrow.

We want peace in Pakistan: CJP

Commenting on the current law and order situation, CJP said they want peace in Pakistan. Constitution is the base of democracy.

The country’s institutions and assets are being set on fire, who will ensure enforcement of the law and order in the country? CJP asked.

The top judge observed that people kept on violating Section 144 in Islamabad and entered Red Zone with the ‘facilitation’ of the federal government. Despite ‘tough’ times, we are performing our duties, the CJP added.

CJP Umar Ata Bandial asked the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to resume talks again. “There are “mature political parties” on both sides.”

CJP Bandial reiterated his resolve to ensure the implementation of the constitution.

Later, the Supreme Court while issuing notices to the federal, and provincial governments and the ECP adjourned further hearing on the case till next Tuesday.

Plea

In a 14-page review petition filed by the ECP on May 3, the electoral body pleaded with the Supreme Court to suspend its May 14 decision until a verdict on the revision petition on the issue.

“SC should review its decision as the judiciary doesn’t have the authority to give the date of elections,” the ECP petition read.

“If the decision is not suspended, the election commission will suffer an irreparable loss,” the petitioner pleaded.

The electoral watchdog further requested the apex court to “accept the instant Review Petition by revisiting, reviewing, reconsidering and recalling its April 4 order”.