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Will the Punjab Elections actually take place on May 14?

Will Punjab Elections take place on May 14?

  • Yes

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • No

    Votes: 8 88.9%
  • Total voters
    9
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In it's historic decision yesterday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan announced May 14 as date for Punjab polls. The question now becomes is will they actually take place or will the PDM find a way to avert?

Irfan Qadir, the Special Assistant to PM Shehbaz doesn't seem to think so. In fact he has challenged the opposition to make them happen.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">یہ کر کے دکھا دیں الیکشن۔۔۔ میں دیکھتا ہوں<br>عرفان قادر<br>الیکشن ہونگے۔ چاہے یہ بے عزت ہو کر کرائیں۔۔<br>لطیف کھوسہ<br>دیکھئیے مکمل پروگرام رات ۱۱ بجے۔۔<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/11thHour?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#11thHour</a> <a href="https://t.co/UETM3f3Xba">pic.twitter.com/UETM3f3Xba</a></p>— Waseem Badami (@WaseemBadami) <a href="https://twitter.com/WaseemBadami/status/1643302240701014025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah, has also hinted of enacting an Emergency. In my opinion Noon League has no grace in a loss and will steep even lower to prevent elections at all costs.
 
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IMRAN KHAN TERMS THREATS OF IMPOSING MARTIAL LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday said the threats of martial law are unconstitutional and added that the days of invoking martial law are over now۔

In an interview with DW Urdu, Imran Khan termed threats of imposition of martial law in Pakistan unconstitutional.

Khan said that if the Supreme Court’s decision is not accepted, it means that the law in Pakistan is over and we are moving toward the law of the jungle۔

The PTI chairman said that if the elected government did not have the authority and that authority was elsewhere then no administrative system could work.

Khan said that the economy would not be able to recover without political stability through elections. The ruling coalition was seeing their defeat in elections.

...
https://arynews.tv/imran-khan-terms-threats-of-imposing-martial-law-unconstitutional/
 
To be honest, none of this matters.

Decisions are being taken elsewhere.
 
Probably a small chance but they can see their political death if they go to the elections. They have gone from the majority party in Punjab, to a party that is looking at an existential crisis. But the party created by Zia and a party used to buying judges can never be a democratic party.
 
I think PMLN is in a huge pickle. If there's no elections they will be in contempt of court. If there are they will lose their power
 
Despite govt defiance, ECP issues Punjab poll schedule

• After SC verdict, grumbling commission sees its mandate to hold elections ‘under attack’
• Appeals process to continue until 10th, final lists of candidates to be published on April 18
• Official says institutions have tied commission’s hands by granting stays in contempt proceedings

ISLAMABAD: A day after the Supreme Court overruled the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and ordered it to hold elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14, the commission announc**ed the schedule for the polls.

Although it complied with the court’s order, the ECP expressed concerns over the ‘transgression’ into its constitutional domain and claimed that it had been made a “punching bag” by state institutions.

The revised schedule was issued in a notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn, citing the apex court’s order.

The commission stated that candidates had already filed their nomination papers and their scrutiny was completed before the ECP delayed the polls till October 8 in March. As per the revised schedule, the process will start from appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers which can be filed by April 10, while the appellate tribunal will decide the appeals by April 17.

Revised lists of candidates for each constituency will be published on April 18, while candidates can withdraw their nominations by April 19.

Election symbols to the contesting candidates will be allotted on April 20, while polling for 297 general seats of the provincial assembly will be held on May 14.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1746161/despite-govt-defiance-ecp-issues-punjab-poll-schedule
 
They are going to do what Yousaf Raza Gillani did to save Zardari in 2012-13 ie blatantly ignore and defy the Supreme Court and will readily accept disqualification and sell it to their support base as political sacrifice. Pti needs to aggressively push for Article 6 proceedings and to get the police, army to act against the trespassers in govt.
 
Savak said:
They are going to do what Yousaf Raza Gillani did to save Zardari in 2012-13 ie blatantly ignore and defy the Supreme Court and will readily accept disqualification and sell it to their support base as political sacrifice. Pti needs to aggressively push for Article 6 proceedings and to get the police, army to act against the trespassers in govt.
Click to expand...

They will try but they are hated and it will make them look even bigger losers. It's projected that both Parties will not get over 65 seats in Punjab. Its the reason for the Diarrhea
 
The National Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution rejecting the three-member Supreme Court bench’s verdict on the Punjab polls, ARY News reported.

The Supreme Court Tuesday nullified electoral watchdog’s decision about the delay in holding polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and fixed May 14 as the date for polls in the province.

The verdict was announced by a three-member bench — comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — on the PTI’s petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order postponing the elections in Punjab and KP.
 
MenInG said:
The National Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution rejecting the three-member Supreme Court bench’s verdict on the Punjab polls, ARY News reported.

The Supreme Court Tuesday nullified electoral watchdog’s decision about the delay in holding polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and fixed May 14 as the date for polls in the province.

The verdict was announced by a three-member bench — comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — on the PTI’s petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order postponing the elections in Punjab and KP.
Click to expand...



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It is now clear what PDM wants - any which way to get out of elections. They brought in an unconstitutional bill on SC & an NA resolution against Judiciary. Now tomorrow an NSC mtg called to try & use security as pretext for postponement of elections. This will pit armed forces…</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1643990801113059328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It is now clear what PDM wants - any which way to get out of elections. They brought in an unconstitutional bill on SC & an NA resolution against Judiciary. Now tomorrow an NSC mtg called to try & use security as pretext for postponement of elections. This will pit armed forces…</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1643990801113059328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened an all-important meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) for Friday (tomorrow), The Express Tribune learnt on Thursday.

According to sources, the top civil and military leadership of the country will participate in the meeting while the heads of the country's intelligence agencies will brief the participants on national security situation.

The top military and civilian leadership, including the defence minister, interior minister, information minister, finance minister and other important cabinet members will participate in the NSC meeting scheduled to take place at 11am on Friday at the Prime Minister House.

The huddle of the powerful body comes against the backdrop of a deepening constitutional crisis in the country as the federal government has refused to accept Supreme Court’s decision on Punjab elections.

Earlier in the day, the National Assembly (NA) passed a resolution against the top court's declaration that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone elections in Punjab was “illegal”.

Express Tribune
 
BILAWAL, ASIF ZARDARI REACH ISLAMABAD TO CHALK OUT ‘NEXT PLAN OF ACTION’

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) top leadership Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari has reached Islamabad to chalk out ‘next plan of action’ following the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict, nullifying Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) order to postpone Punjab elections, ARY News reported on Thursday, citing sources.

Sources told ARY News that Bilawal Bhutto has summoned the PPP’s top leadership for consultation on the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict nullifying Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) order to postpone Punjab elections on May 14.

The PPP leadership will take party into confidence regarding the decisions taken during meeting of coalition parties.

The party leadership will also consider to summon central executive committee (CEC) or core committee meeting. The consultative meeting will also chalk out the future plan of action.

...
https://arynews.tv/bilawal-asif-zardari-reach-islamabad-to-chalk-out-next-plan-of-action/
 
ECP issues code of conduct for Punjab polls
Political parties, candidates contesting PA, NA by-polls to follow electoral watchdog-mandated campaigning rules

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued a code of conduct for political parties and candidates contesting Punjab Assembly and subsequent by-elections in different National Assembly constituencies.

According to the details, all candidates shall open an exclusive account with any branch of a scheduled bank for election-related expenses.

No candidate or party will be able to campaign at the public’s expense. Candidates will not be able to use posters larger than 18×23 inches and portraits larger than 2×3 feet.

Moreover, the pamphlet size has been fixed at 9×6 inches, and the banner size at 3×9 feet. It is also mandatory to print the name and address of the printer of pamphlets and banners.

Express Tribune
 
PTI TO FILE REFERENCE AGAINST ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL NA RESOLUTION’: IMRAN KHAN

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to file a ‘disqualification reference’ against those who tabled an ‘unconstitutional resolution’ in National Assembly (NA) against Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict, nullifying Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) order to postpone Punjab elections, ARY News reported on Thursday.

The decision was taken during a meeting between PTI chairman Imran Khan and party president Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who called on him at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park.

Speaking on the occasion, Imran Khan said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was afraid of the ‘storm of people’.

“An unconstitutional resolution was tabled against the verdict of the Supreme Court”, he said, adding that the party would file a disqualification reference against those who tabled the resolution in National Assembly.

He further said that the people of Pakistan and PTI was ready to take the streets for the ‘protection of the judiciary and the constitution’. The PTI chairman also announced that he would launch the election campaign after Eid-ul-Fitr.

...
https://arynews.tv/pti-to-file-reference-against-unconstitutional-na-resolution-imran-khan/
 
In yet another twist to holding provincial elections in the country, Justice Athar Minallah of the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday released his detailed note on the suo motu notice proceedings on the delay in holding polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, saying that the case was dismissed 4-3.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial on February 22 took suo motu notice of the polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that there appeared to be a “lack of clarity” on the matter.

Key points:

Justice Minallah says he agrees with Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Jamal Khan Mandokhail, who penned the dissenting note in the suo motu case
Justice Minallah says court must always “show extreme restraint in matters which involve political stakeholders”
Justice Minallah also questions move to dissolve provincial assemblies, asks if such conduct is in “consonance with the scheme of constitutional democracy”
Govt says CJP has become “controversial”, calls on him to resign
Justice Bandial also constituted a nine-member bench — comprising himself, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Minallah — to hear the case.

The CJP on February 27, however, split the larger bench into a five-member bench. The SC also issued a written order, which was dictated in the open court on Feb 23 when Justice Jamal Mandokhail objected to the initiation of the proceedings under Article 184(3).

Signed by nine judges, the written order of the bench stated that keeping in view the Feb 23 order, the additio*nal notes attached by four jud*ges, the CJP’s direction to add questions raised by Jus*tice Shah, Justice Afridi, Justice Mando*khail and Justice Minallah, as well as discussions/deliberations made in the anteroom of the apex court, the matter was referred back to the top judge.

In response, the CJP recon*s*ti*tuted the bench comprising himself, Justice Shah, Justice Akhtar, Justice Mandokhail, and Justice Mazhar.

On March 1, the SC, in a 3-2 verdict, directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consult with President Arif Alvi for polls in Punjab and Governor Ghulam Ali for elections in KP.

The majority judgement, given by CJP Bandial, Justice Akhtar, and Justice Mazhar, however, allowed the ECP to propose a poll date that deviates from the 90-day deadline by the “barest minimum”, in case of any practical difficulty.

Justice Mandokhail and Justice Shah — who were among the four judges who had written additional notes in the Feb 23 order — dissented with the ruling. In a joint dissent note, the two top court judges said that the suo motu proceedings initiated by the CJP were “wholly unjustified”, besides being initiated with “undue haste”.

They also noted that the reconstitution of the bench was “simply an administrative act to facilitate the further hearing of the case by the remaining five members of the bench and could not nullify or brush aside the judicial decisions given by the two Hon’ble Judges in this case, which have to be counted when the matter is finally concluded.”

They argued that Justice Ahsan and Justice Naqvi had not been removed from the bench but had voluntarily recused themselves. “Thus, their short orders are very much part of the case, therefore, the administrative order of reconstitution of the bench by the Hon’ble Chief Justice cannot brush aside the judicial decisions of the two Hon’ble Judges who had decided the matter when the case was heard by a nine-member bench.”

They further said that the failure to count the decisions of Justice Afridi and Justice Minallah “would amount to excluding them from the bench without their consent, which is not permissible under the law and not within the powers of the Hon’ble Chief Justice”.

“Therefore, we are of the opinion that the dismissal of the present suo motu proceedings and the connected constitution petitions is the order of the court by a majority of 4 to 3 of the seven-member bench.”

Justice Minallah’s detailed note
In his 25 page-long note, Justice Minallah mentioned the various case proceedings that took place on the matter since the assemblies were dissolved in January.

He has also mentioned the Lahore High Court’s Feb 10 verdict where it ordered the ECP to immediately announce the date for elections in Punjab.

Justice Minallah observed that petitions were filed seeking contempt of court proceedings to reinforce the LHC’s order but that the Supreme Court had “no reason to doubt the ability and competence” of the former.

He said that the written order of the hearing held on Feb 23 included a separate note from Justice Yahya Afridi, who had dismissed the petitions on the ground of maintainability.

“The reasoning recorded in the short order was persuasive and I had no hesitation in concurring with the decision regarding dismissal of the petitions. I had reiterated my decision by recording my note in the order dated 24.02.2023.

“I have had the privilege of reading the detailed reasoning recorded by my learned brothers, Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Jamal Khan Mandokhail, JJs and I agree with their opinion, particularly regarding the final outcome of the petitions and the suo motu assumption of jurisdiction by a majority of 4 to 3 because this was the understanding in the meeting held in the anteroom on 27.02.2023. It is noted that I had not recused nor had any reason to dissociate myself,” he said.

Regarding Article 184(3) of the Constitution (matters of public importance), the judge said that invocation of jurisdiction under the article and the exercise of discretion relating to the constitution of benches and fixation of cases were crucial in the context of preserving public trust and confidence.

“The process of constitution of benches and allocation of cases must be transparent, fair and impartial. The court must always show extreme restraint in matters which involve the political stakeholders […] The court must not allow any stakeholder to use its forum for advancing its political strategy or gaining advantage over other competitors. It is the duty of the court to ensure that political stakeholders are not encouraged to bring their disputes to the courts for judicial settlement by bypassing the institutions and forums created under the Constitution,” he said.

He further said that doing so weakens Parliament and the forums meant for political dialogue while also inflicting harm on the judicial branch of the state by “prejudicing public trust in its independence and impartiality”.

“It also encourages the political stakeholders to shun the democratic values of tolerance, dialogue and settlement through political means. This court owes a duty to more than fifty thousand litigants whose cases on our docket are awaiting to be heard and decided. They ought to be given priority over the political stakeholders who are under an obligation to resolve their disputes in the political forums through democratic means. This court has a duty to preserve public trust and confidence and not to appear politically partisan. This is what the Constitution contemplates,” he said.

Raising objection on the suo motu notice, the justice said that the “premature and pre-emptive proceedings before this court at this stage is likely to delay the enforcement” of the LHC judgement.

He mentioned the notes penned by three other Supreme Court justices who had also dismissed the petition on the grounds that the matter was pending before two high courts.

He noted that the “manner and mode in which these proceedings were initiated have unnecessarily exposed the court to political controversies” and “invited objections from political stakeholders in an already polarised political environment”.

“The court, by proceeding in a premature matter, will be stepping into already murky waters of the domain of politics. It is likely to erode public confidence. The assumption of suo motu jurisdiction in itself may raise concerns in the mind of an informed outside observer.”

He further said that there was another crucial aspect that was being ignored: the conduct of political stakeholders.

“The political climate in the country is so toxic that it is inconceivable that political parties will even agree to having a dialogue, let alone arriving at a consensus,” he said.

He further said that the dissolution of the provincial assemblies, as part of a political strategy, raised questions.

“Is such conduct in consonance with the scheme of constitutional democracy? Is it not in itself a violation of the Constitution? Should this court allow its forum to be exploited for advancing political strategies or appear to be encouraging undemocratic conduct? Should this court not take notice of forum shopping by political stakeholders by invoking the jurisdictions of high courts and this court simultaneously?

“This court cannot and must not appear or be seen as advancing the political strategies of political stakeholders. The public trust will be eroded in the independence and impartiality of the court if it appears or is seen to encourage undemocratic norms and values.”

He further said that the conduct of the stakeholders has created unprecedented political instability by resorting to conduct “that is devoid of the democratic values of tolerance, dialogue and debate”.

“The conduct of the stakeholders does not entitle them to invoke the jurisdiction of this court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution lest it is seen or appears to facilitate or promote undemocratic values and strategies.”

He went on to say that it was “ironic and unimaginable for political stakeholders to involve the court in resolving political disputes” which should have been settled in forums created for this very purpose under the Constitution.

“It is also alarming that the conduct of the political stakeholders and their political strategies would create unprecedented political turmoil and instability in the country. Political stability is a precondition for economic progress and prosperity of the people.

“The power struggle between the political stakeholders is undermining the welfare and economic conditions of the people of this country. The people of Pakistan have been made to suffer for a long time by depriving them of their fundamental rights. The long spells of undemocratic regimes validated by this court have caused irretrievable loss to the country and its people.

“The institutions which represent the will of the people were not allowed to take roots. Even today, 75 years after the creation of Pakistan, the institutions remain weak. The country is on the brink of a political and Constitutional crisis and it is high time that all those responsible take a step back and resort to some introspection. All the institutions, including this court, need to set aside their egos and strive towards fulfilling their Constitutional obligations,” Justice Minallah wrote.

Regarding the judiciary, he said it was obvious that “we may not have learnt any lessons from our bleak history”.

“We cannot erase the judgments from the law reports but at least endeavour to restore public trust and confidence so that the past is forgotten to some extent. When politicians do not approach the appropriate forums and bring their disputes to the courts, the former may win or lose the case, but inevitably the court is the loser,” he said.

Justice Minallah’s note comes after the top court, while hearing a petition filed by the PTI, ruled that the election commission’s decision to postpone polls to the Punjab Assembly till Oct 8 was “unconstitutional” and fixed May 14 as the date for polls in the province.

The verdict — issued by a three-member bench headed by CJP Bandial — created an uproar in the country’s politico-judicial circles after the bench turned down the government’s request to form a full court on the matter. On Thursday, the National Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the verdict.

Moreover, questions have also been raised about the CJP’s suo motu powers over the last few weeks.

DAWN
 
MenInG said:
In yet another twist to holding provincial elections in the country, Justice Athar Minallah of the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday released his detailed note on the suo motu notice proceedings on the delay in holding polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, saying that the case was dismissed 4-3.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial on February 22 took suo motu notice of the polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that there appeared to be a “lack of clarity” on the matter.

Key points:

Justice Minallah says he agrees with Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Jamal Khan Mandokhail, who penned the dissenting note in the suo motu case
Justice Minallah says court must always “show extreme restraint in matters which involve political stakeholders”
Justice Minallah also questions move to dissolve provincial assemblies, asks if such conduct is in “consonance with the scheme of constitutional democracy”
Govt says CJP has become “controversial”, calls on him to resign
Justice Bandial also constituted a nine-member bench — comprising himself, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Minallah — to hear the case.

The CJP on February 27, however, split the larger bench into a five-member bench. The SC also issued a written order, which was dictated in the open court on Feb 23 when Justice Jamal Mandokhail objected to the initiation of the proceedings under Article 184(3).

Signed by nine judges, the written order of the bench stated that keeping in view the Feb 23 order, the additio*nal notes attached by four jud*ges, the CJP’s direction to add questions raised by Jus*tice Shah, Justice Afridi, Justice Mando*khail and Justice Minallah, as well as discussions/deliberations made in the anteroom of the apex court, the matter was referred back to the top judge.

In response, the CJP recon*s*ti*tuted the bench comprising himself, Justice Shah, Justice Akhtar, Justice Mandokhail, and Justice Mazhar.

On March 1, the SC, in a 3-2 verdict, directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consult with President Arif Alvi for polls in Punjab and Governor Ghulam Ali for elections in KP.

The majority judgement, given by CJP Bandial, Justice Akhtar, and Justice Mazhar, however, allowed the ECP to propose a poll date that deviates from the 90-day deadline by the “barest minimum”, in case of any practical difficulty.

Justice Mandokhail and Justice Shah — who were among the four judges who had written additional notes in the Feb 23 order — dissented with the ruling. In a joint dissent note, the two top court judges said that the suo motu proceedings initiated by the CJP were “wholly unjustified”, besides being initiated with “undue haste”.

They also noted that the reconstitution of the bench was “simply an administrative act to facilitate the further hearing of the case by the remaining five members of the bench and could not nullify or brush aside the judicial decisions given by the two Hon’ble Judges in this case, which have to be counted when the matter is finally concluded.”

They argued that Justice Ahsan and Justice Naqvi had not been removed from the bench but had voluntarily recused themselves. “Thus, their short orders are very much part of the case, therefore, the administrative order of reconstitution of the bench by the Hon’ble Chief Justice cannot brush aside the judicial decisions of the two Hon’ble Judges who had decided the matter when the case was heard by a nine-member bench.”

They further said that the failure to count the decisions of Justice Afridi and Justice Minallah “would amount to excluding them from the bench without their consent, which is not permissible under the law and not within the powers of the Hon’ble Chief Justice”.

“Therefore, we are of the opinion that the dismissal of the present suo motu proceedings and the connected constitution petitions is the order of the court by a majority of 4 to 3 of the seven-member bench.”

Justice Minallah’s detailed note
In his 25 page-long note, Justice Minallah mentioned the various case proceedings that took place on the matter since the assemblies were dissolved in January.

He has also mentioned the Lahore High Court’s Feb 10 verdict where it ordered the ECP to immediately announce the date for elections in Punjab.

Justice Minallah observed that petitions were filed seeking contempt of court proceedings to reinforce the LHC’s order but that the Supreme Court had “no reason to doubt the ability and competence” of the former.

He said that the written order of the hearing held on Feb 23 included a separate note from Justice Yahya Afridi, who had dismissed the petitions on the ground of maintainability.

“The reasoning recorded in the short order was persuasive and I had no hesitation in concurring with the decision regarding dismissal of the petitions. I had reiterated my decision by recording my note in the order dated 24.02.2023.

“I have had the privilege of reading the detailed reasoning recorded by my learned brothers, Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Jamal Khan Mandokhail, JJs and I agree with their opinion, particularly regarding the final outcome of the petitions and the suo motu assumption of jurisdiction by a majority of 4 to 3 because this was the understanding in the meeting held in the anteroom on 27.02.2023. It is noted that I had not recused nor had any reason to dissociate myself,” he said.

Regarding Article 184(3) of the Constitution (matters of public importance), the judge said that invocation of jurisdiction under the article and the exercise of discretion relating to the constitution of benches and fixation of cases were crucial in the context of preserving public trust and confidence.

“The process of constitution of benches and allocation of cases must be transparent, fair and impartial. The court must always show extreme restraint in matters which involve the political stakeholders […] The court must not allow any stakeholder to use its forum for advancing its political strategy or gaining advantage over other competitors. It is the duty of the court to ensure that political stakeholders are not encouraged to bring their disputes to the courts for judicial settlement by bypassing the institutions and forums created under the Constitution,” he said.

He further said that doing so weakens Parliament and the forums meant for political dialogue while also inflicting harm on the judicial branch of the state by “prejudicing public trust in its independence and impartiality”.

“It also encourages the political stakeholders to shun the democratic values of tolerance, dialogue and settlement through political means. This court owes a duty to more than fifty thousand litigants whose cases on our docket are awaiting to be heard and decided. They ought to be given priority over the political stakeholders who are under an obligation to resolve their disputes in the political forums through democratic means. This court has a duty to preserve public trust and confidence and not to appear politically partisan. This is what the Constitution contemplates,” he said.

Raising objection on the suo motu notice, the justice said that the “premature and pre-emptive proceedings before this court at this stage is likely to delay the enforcement” of the LHC judgement.

He mentioned the notes penned by three other Supreme Court justices who had also dismissed the petition on the grounds that the matter was pending before two high courts.

He noted that the “manner and mode in which these proceedings were initiated have unnecessarily exposed the court to political controversies” and “invited objections from political stakeholders in an already polarised political environment”.

“The court, by proceeding in a premature matter, will be stepping into already murky waters of the domain of politics. It is likely to erode public confidence. The assumption of suo motu jurisdiction in itself may raise concerns in the mind of an informed outside observer.”

He further said that there was another crucial aspect that was being ignored: the conduct of political stakeholders.

“The political climate in the country is so toxic that it is inconceivable that political parties will even agree to having a dialogue, let alone arriving at a consensus,” he said.

He further said that the dissolution of the provincial assemblies, as part of a political strategy, raised questions.

“Is such conduct in consonance with the scheme of constitutional democracy? Is it not in itself a violation of the Constitution? Should this court allow its forum to be exploited for advancing political strategies or appear to be encouraging undemocratic conduct? Should this court not take notice of forum shopping by political stakeholders by invoking the jurisdictions of high courts and this court simultaneously?

“This court cannot and must not appear or be seen as advancing the political strategies of political stakeholders. The public trust will be eroded in the independence and impartiality of the court if it appears or is seen to encourage undemocratic norms and values.”

He further said that the conduct of the stakeholders has created unprecedented political instability by resorting to conduct “that is devoid of the democratic values of tolerance, dialogue and debate”.

“The conduct of the stakeholders does not entitle them to invoke the jurisdiction of this court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution lest it is seen or appears to facilitate or promote undemocratic values and strategies.”

He went on to say that it was “ironic and unimaginable for political stakeholders to involve the court in resolving political disputes” which should have been settled in forums created for this very purpose under the Constitution.

“It is also alarming that the conduct of the political stakeholders and their political strategies would create unprecedented political turmoil and instability in the country. Political stability is a precondition for economic progress and prosperity of the people.

“The power struggle between the political stakeholders is undermining the welfare and economic conditions of the people of this country. The people of Pakistan have been made to suffer for a long time by depriving them of their fundamental rights. The long spells of undemocratic regimes validated by this court have caused irretrievable loss to the country and its people.

“The institutions which represent the will of the people were not allowed to take roots. Even today, 75 years after the creation of Pakistan, the institutions remain weak. The country is on the brink of a political and Constitutional crisis and it is high time that all those responsible take a step back and resort to some introspection. All the institutions, including this court, need to set aside their egos and strive towards fulfilling their Constitutional obligations,” Justice Minallah wrote.

Regarding the judiciary, he said it was obvious that “we may not have learnt any lessons from our bleak history”.

“We cannot erase the judgments from the law reports but at least endeavour to restore public trust and confidence so that the past is forgotten to some extent. When politicians do not approach the appropriate forums and bring their disputes to the courts, the former may win or lose the case, but inevitably the court is the loser,” he said.

Justice Minallah’s note comes after the top court, while hearing a petition filed by the PTI, ruled that the election commission’s decision to postpone polls to the Punjab Assembly till Oct 8 was “unconstitutional” and fixed May 14 as the date for polls in the province.

The verdict — issued by a three-member bench headed by CJP Bandial — created an uproar in the country’s politico-judicial circles after the bench turned down the government’s request to form a full court on the matter. On Thursday, the National Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the verdict.

Moreover, questions have also been raised about the CJP’s suo motu powers over the last few weeks.

DAWN
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Another sellout tout Chor judge has been exposed. May Allah keep exposing all of them.

This hypocrite now saying supreme court should keep extreme restraint in political matters but wasn't this sellout hypocrite part of the same bench who opened courts at midnight against Qasim Suri ruling!
 
A National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on Friday agreed to launch an “all-out comprehensive operation” to rid the country of the menace of terrorism.

The NSC acts as the principal decision-making body on national security matters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over the body’s 41st meeting today, which was attended by senior civil and military leadership.

The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s House and initially lasted for two hours. It was later resumed and concluded in the evening.

A press release issued today from the Prime Minister’s Office said the NSC meeting was held in continuation of a January 2 meeting, which was convened in wake of an attack on the Karachi Police Office on February 17.

“The meeting agreed to launch an all-out comprehensive operation with the entire nation and the government, which will rid the country of the menace of terrorism with renewed vigour and determination,” the press release said.

It added that the operation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms from Pakistan would incorporate measures at the political, diplomatic security, economic and social levels.

Moreover, the press release said, a high-level committee had been formed that would give recommendations regarding the implementation and limitations of the operation within two weeks.

The participants of the meeting emphasised the need for “comprehensive national security”, in which the people’s relief was “central”. The participants were informed that the government was taking necessary steps in this regard.
 
Bewal Express said:
The Generals are even more scared than these pathetic minions.
Click to expand...

I think they are going to shift again, as the US is now clearly in decline.

Pakistan troops have been training with SCO troops, drills etc recently. China and Russia will demand Pak army to move away from US if they wish to continue being directly involved with SCO.

You will see the PDM crooks slowly running out the country, I think the tide has turned. All they can do is now is pick up and detain certain PTI workers.
 
ISLAMABAD: Amid a thorny debate in political circles over the conduct of elections in Punjab in mid May, the top civil and military leadership on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to thwart terror threats and vowed to re-launch the National Action Plan (NAP) within 15 days to crush militants reportedly coming in from Afghanistan.

Without directly blaming the previous PTI government for the resurgence of terrorism in tribal districts along the border with Afghanistan, they agreed to initiate new multi-pronged and comprehensive operations, as well as combined efforts on the diplomatic, security, economic and social fronts for the elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

A committee formed for the purpose would present its recommendations within two weeks to implement the policy and draw its parameters.

The decisions were made at the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber, Naval Chief Admiral Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, chief ministers of four provinces and federal cabinet members attended the meeting.

The NSC’s decisions to launch a massive operation may further shrink chances of elections in Punjab, two days after the government had categorically refused to implement the court order regarding May 14 polls.

It was in this context that PTI Chairman Imran Khan, commenting on the convening of the NSC meeting, said that the government wanted to pit the armed forces of the country not against the judiciary, but the nation.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, while talking to Dawn, said that holding of elections in Punjab was not on the agenda of the NSC meeting and that was why the issue was not discussed in the civil and military leadership’s huddle. She, however, confirmed that a fresh NAP-like operation against militancy would start within 15 days.

Earlier, two similar plans had been launched in the country — first during Gen Pervez Musharraf’s regime in 2002 and the second during the previous PML-N rule in 2014.

Terrorists’ return

An official press release issued by the PM Office said, “NSC approved a multi-pronged comprehensive operation with the support of the government and the nation to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country with a new resolve, determination and valour”.

“The committee proclaimed that the recent wave of terrorism was the result of the soft corner and the absence of a well thought-out policy against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which was declared a terrorist organisation but against the public expectations and wishes, under the previous policy terrorists were allowed to return without any hindrance. In the name of confidence building, dangerous terrorists of the TTP were released from jails,” it noted.

“It was noted that due to return of the dangerous terrorists and support of different terrorist organisations to them from Afghanistan, peace and stability, which was the result of innumerable sacrifices and continuous efforts, was affected,” the official announcement said.

It was the 41st meeting of the security committee held in continuation of the one conducted after the deadly terrorist attack on the Peshawar Police Lines on Jan 2, 2023.

While emphasising comprehensive national security, it was declared that ‘relief to the people’ was of central importance. The forum was told that the government was taking measures in this connection. The meeting also acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts of the security forces for ensuring permanent peace for the nation.

The NSC reiterated the resolve to continue operation till the eradication of terrorism from Pakistan.

The committee also strongly condemned the increasing hatred and division in society and attempts to spread foreign-sponsored poisonous propaganda on social media against the state institutions and their leadership to achieve hidden targets and stated that those attempts were affecting national security.

While expressing resolve to foil the heinous designs of the enemies, the NSC said every effort would be made to maintain peace that was achieved with the supreme sacrifices and constant endeavours of the martyrs.

The NSC in its January sitting had reiterated its resolve to have “zero tolerance” for terrorism.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2023
 
An ‘emerge*ncy’ meeting of the federal cabinet has been called on the weekly holiday (today) to decide whether funds should be released to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding the polls in Punjab on May 14, or show open defiance to the orders of the Supreme Court.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb told Dawn that the meeting would be held in Lahore with Prime Minister Sheh*baz Sharif in the chair.

“This is an important meeting on the current issues. However, its agenda has not been circulated as yet,” she said but added that “significant decisions” might be taken in the huddle.

Most cabinet members would participate in the deliberations through video link.

The PPP has separated itself from the Sharifs’ demand that Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Ban*dial should step down. But, according to sources, the party may review its stance at the last minute on whether to support its senior coalition partner’s dec*i*sion to reject the apex court’s order on Punjab polls.

A PML-N insider told Dawn that the release of funds for Punjab elections, Presi*dent Dr Arif Alvi’s decision to return the Supreme Court Bill, and Justice Athar Minallah’s judicial note in the elections case — which PML-N sees grossly in favour of its stance — would come under discussion during the meeting.

He said the Sharifs were in complete mood to defy the CJP-led three-member bench’s decision to hold elections in the province on May 14 and there was no secret in it.

“Be it Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz…all in one voice have rejected the three-bench verdict and the parliament is also standing behind the PML-N’s stance,” he said and added that the party was also unanimous on this point. He said that in Sunday’s meeting, the premier and cabinet would declare that there were no funds for the May 14 elections.

“And let’s see what action the SC takes on Monday…we don’t care,” he said and added that PML-N was desperately looking for a narrative and this defiance would help it build one with which it can go into polls.

“Further legislation by parliament to clip the apex court’s powers may also be discussed in the meeting,” he said.

Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar earlier in the day also did not give any hint that the government would be releasing funds to the ECP for the Punjab polls.

“The Supreme Court’s order for the federal government is to give Rs21 billion for elections in Punjab by April 10. Of course, the finance ministry and the cabinet have an important responsibility in this regard, and I am a part of it,” he said but did not indicate the amount his ministry would release by April 10.

Maryam Nawaz has already declared that the party was ready for disqualification. “The SC had disqualified Nawaz Sharif and if it decides to issue a contempt notice to PM Shehbaz we don’t care as we have rejected the three-member bench decision on Punjab polls which in fact was 4/3,” she had said.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2023
 
The federal cabinet has decided to take up in Parliament the matter of providing funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa elections.

The decision was taken after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a cabinet meeting on the weekly holiday (Sunday) to deal with the "current political and constitutional crises" in the country.

The Supreme Court last week directed the federal government to provide Rs21 billion in funds by April 10 to the ECP, directing the electoral body to present a report on the issue by April 11.

The verdict also said that the Supreme Court will issue instructions to the authorities concerned in case the funds are not provided.

Read: NA resolution rejecting SC poll order: An exercise in futility

Despite the court’s order, sources told The Express Tribune that the federal cabinet instead opted for debating the matter in Parliament before approving and issuing funds for the provincial elections.

The huddle also held legal consultations and discussed the coalition government’s strategy in view of the Supreme Court’s April 4 verdict ordering elections in Punjab on May 14.

The cabinet also deliberated on tabling the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 – which aims to curtail the powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice and constitute benches on his own – in the joint session of Parliament for approval as President Dr Arif Alvi has returned it for reconsideration without signing it.

In this regard, the prime minister has summoned another federal cabinet meeting tomorrow (Monday) at 10am at the Parliament House in Islamabad.

Moreover, the federal cabinet also approved the decisions taken by the National Security Committee (NSC) in its meeting on Friday.

The high-level huddle had decided to launch a comprehensive operation against terrorists, as the country’s civil and military leadership virtually issued a charge-sheet against the previous government and the establishment for allowing the banned TTP to regroup.
 
The federal cabinet on Sunday directed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to prepare a summary seeking guidance from parliament to release funds for the Punjab elections.

Last week, the Supreme Court (SC) had fixed May 14 as the date for the polls in the province and directed the federal government to release election funds worth Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan by April 10 for elections to the assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a handout issued by the Prime Minister’s Office today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired a federal cabinet meeting today in Islamabad, which lasted over two hours, via video link from Lahore.

DAWN
 
MenInG said:
The federal cabinet on Sunday directed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to prepare a summary seeking guidance from parliament to release funds for the Punjab elections.

Last week, the Supreme Court (SC) had fixed May 14 as the date for the polls in the province and directed the federal government to release election funds worth Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan by April 10 for elections to the assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a handout issued by the Prime Minister’s Office today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired a federal cabinet meeting today in Islamabad, which lasted over two hours, via video link from Lahore.

DAWN
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NANI wants SS to sacrifice himself. Please do it SS because you are useless
 
Doing what they can to appease The Sharifs

==

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought amendments to the Elections Act, 2017 that will empower the electoral watchdog to announce poll dates unilaterally, without it having to consult the president.

The request for amendments was made in letters written by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan to Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Muhammad Shakeel Malik, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday.

The letters, copies of which are available with Dawn.com, referred to the “controversy” regarding elections to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. ECP officials particularly cited two Supreme Court (SC) judgements in this connection, issued on March 1 and April 4.

In its March 1 verdict, the SC had ruled that elections in KP and Punjab — both of which have been under caretaker governments since the provincial assemblies were dissolved in January — should be held within 90 days.
 
Funds not released for Punjab polls
The Supreme Court had ordered federal government to provide funds to ECP by April 10 for Punjab elections

The Rs21 billion funds for holding elections in Punjab could not be released on Monday to the Election Commission of Pakistan as per the directions of the Supreme Court. April 10 was the last day to release the funds.

However, as per the decision of the federal cabinet, the government introduced the money bill 2023 titled “Charged Sum for General Election (Provincial Assemblies of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) Bill 2023” in the National Assembly.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar introduced the money bill 2023. National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf referred the bill to the Finance Committee of the National Assembly for consideration. Dar said the government was laying the bill before the House in the light of the Supreme Court orders to release Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold a general election in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The finance minister said the federal cabinet, in its recent meeting, pondered over the SC orders and, in view of the House’s resolution, sought the will of Parliament to take a final decision regarding the allocation of funds for the Punjab and KP general election.

He said, “When the elected government was removed, we got a ruined economy”. He said the PTI was trying hard to make the country default. The finance minister said he cancelled his US visit in the current circumstances, on the instructions of the prime minister. He said that Pakistan was very close to signing the staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is satisfied with the actions taken by the government to revive the loan programme.
...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1059353-funds-not-released-for-punjab-polls
 
ECP blames ‘reluctant’ govt for lack of funding for polls

• Watchdog submits sealed one-page report to Supreme Court; perused by judges in chambers
• Commission says Punjab has agreed to sanction 75,000 security personnel against demand for 300,000

ISLAMABAD: With the federal government looking to sidestep a Supreme Court order directing elections to be held in Punjab on May 14, a report submitted by the Election Commi*ssion of Pakistan (ECP) to the apex court regarding the release of Rs21 billion for election expenses has also made much of the government’s reluctance to release the required funds.

In its April 4 verdict, the election watchdog was directed by the top court to keep the court in the loop regarding funding for polls and submit a report on the government’s response regarding the request for funds. If the funds are not provided or there is a shortfall, as the case may be, the Supreme Court may issue orders or give directions to appropriate authorities, the SC ruling had stated.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1747215/ecp-blames-reluctant-govt-for-lack-of-funding-for-polls
 
The Supreme Court (SC) issued notices on Wednesday to the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and finance secretary after the government failed to pay out Rs21 billion required for polls in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The apex court summoned the officials to court on April 14.
 
SC orders SBP to release election funds

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to release Rs21 billion in funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding elections for the Punjab Assembly after the federal government failed to provide the sum on the allotted date.

During an in-chamber hearing headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, the top court judges informed Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan that the court orders must be followed in the suo motu notice regarding the postponement of Punjab polls.

According to sources, the AGP presented the government’s stance and faced tough questions. The judges expressed their anger regarding the non-disbursement of funds.

The apex court will issue a formal order after Friday prayers.

Before the hearing, the AGP had a meeting with officials from the finance ministry and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called on the AGP for consultation.

...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2411939/sc-orders-sbp-to-release-election-funds
 
No option but to hold polls on May 14, says Aitzaz
"The one not complying with the order will have to face disqualification,” he warned

The roundtable conference of the legal fraternity Saturday expressed its full support to the Constitution and the Supreme Court of Pakistan and demanded that election to the Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies should be held immediately, as per the dictates of the Constitution and orders of the apex court.

Senior lawyer and politician Barrister Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, in his address to the participants, said the Sipah Salar [army chief] and the prime minister have no other option but to hold elections in Punjab on May 14, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. “And the one not complying with the order will have to face disqualification,” he warned. “I told the court reporters that there was no other way out except for the implementation of the top court orders. All are bound to implement that order. And all those who say they do not accept the apex court verdict, will have to accept it; otherwise, they will face disqualification due to contempt,” he explained.

“They [Pakistan Democratic Movement coalition government in Centre] believed that the Sipah Salar was with them, but they did not know that he had to obey the apex court verdict under the Constitution,” Aitzaz Ahsan added. The senior lawyer said the legal fraternity would never compromise on the respect and honour of the Supreme Court. He read out the declaration passed by the conference at the end of the event. The declaration concluded that “as lawyers, we are the officers of the courts in Pakistan. As such, we are the primary stakeholders in the functioning of the courts, according to the Constitution, and the law as an independent bulwark of the rights of the people of Pakistan, particularly the poor and the deprived.

“We, thus, need a strong court acting within the Constitution and according to the oath, taken by the judges at all times. Insofar as the courts continue to do so, we will always support them without reservation,” said the declaration. All participants in the conference believed that the election in Punjab and KPK was the real issues that “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif desires to avoid, and, other matters such as the formation of benches, and roster fixation are obvious distractions to detract from the central issue”.

The participants stressed that “any permissible legislation to regulate the court or its processes ought not to be deployed, to destroy the court, its independence, its dignity and authority”. The declaration said that “the issues internal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan be decided by judges themselves through the comity of judges, mutual respect, due recognition of status, propriety and dignity behoving judges of the highest court of the land”.

The declaration read that “the constitutional controversies which have fractured the body politic and even caused schisms among the justices, mainly, on questions of bench formation; roster fixation; the role of judges as politicians wearing robes; or the court as an imperialist court, all these need to be addressed by the judges themselves in due deliberations in the first instance, and not by any institution other than the judiciary itself and not in indecent haste”.

The roundtable was held under the topic of “Sanctity of the Constitution and Judicial Independence in Pakistan”, hosted by Khawaja Tariq Raheem, veteran lawyer, and former governor of Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa, and Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan. The conference was attended by more than 50 top lawyers and jurists of the country, who vowed to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution.

...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1061250-no-option-but-to-hold-polls-on-may-14-says-aitzaz
 
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Sunday cautioned State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) officials against disbursing Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, indicating that the money would be “recovered” from whoever authorises the payment.

The Supreme Court on April 14 had ordered the central bank to release by April 17 (Monday) Rs21b from Account No. I — a principal component of the Federal Conso*lidated Fund worth Rs1.39 trillion — for holding the much-delayed elections to the two dissolved provincial assemblies.

Speaking on Geo News show ‘Naya Pakistan’ today, the interior minister was questioned whether the amount due to the ECP would be released, to which he said: “I can’t say if the SBP officials concerned will release [the amount] or not but … I think this will be a very serious matter.”

He said a serious objection will be raised against the central bank’s decision of releasing the money, based on which “those carrying this payment could suffer [a penalty of] recovery”.
 
No polls on May 14 no matter whatever PTI does, says Sana
Imran Khan forms committee for talks with JI; Interior minister says elections will "held together" under caretaker setup

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday formed a three-member committee to hold talks with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on the polls date issue, though Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah categorically made it clear that election to the Punjab Assembly would not be held on May 14 despite all-out efforts of the opposition party.

In another significant development, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned the State Bank of Pakistan officials against disbursing Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, indicating that the money would be ‘recovered’ from whoever authorises the payment.

Earlier, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar made the announcement of the three-member committee on Twitter, saying that the decision of committee formation came after a meeting between PTI Chairman Imran Khan and JI Emir Sirajul Haq to break free from the current impasse.

Issuing a notification in this regard, Umar said the committee included former chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak, PTI Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry and former Punjab minister Mian Mehmoodur Rashid.

A day earlier, Siraj initiated efforts to bring the PTI and the ruling alliance to the negotiating table by holding separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the PTI chief.

In a related development, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah cautioned the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) officials against disbursing Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, indicating that the money would be ‘recovered’ from whoever authorises the payment.

Sana was responding to the host of the Geo News show Naya Pakistan, Shahzad Iqbal, who had asked him whether the amount due to the ECP would be released by the SBP on Monday (today).

The interior minister declared: “I can’t say if the SBP officials concerned will release [the amount] or not but … I think this will be a very serious matter.” He said a serious objection will be raised against the central bank’s decision of releasing the money based on which “those carrying this payment could suffer [a penalty of] recovery”.

Sanaullah cautioned that those authorising and ordering the payment could “have to later arrange the recovery of Rs21bn all their lives”, adding that it was a very large amount to recover and could trigger many new problems. He reiterated that there were “clear chances” that those making the payment “will be held responsible for it in the future”.

...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/10...ls-on-may-14-no-matter-whatever-pti-does-sana
 
The State Bank of Pakistan has allocated Rs21 billion for elections to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies on Supreme Court’s order and sought finance ministry’s nod to release the amount, SBP’s chief spokesman Abid Qamar told Dawn.

The court, on Friday, directed the State Bank to release Rs21bn to the Election Commission of Pakistan and submit a compliance report by Monday afternoon.

The SC had also fixed May 14 for elections in Punjab.

An approval of government is required to release the amount from the Federal Consolidated Fund (FCF) while the government has to get National Assembly’s approval for its release.

“The required Rs21bn is not a real problem for the government that has already borrowed over Rs2 trillion so far from banks during FY23. The problem is political or constitutional, not money,” said a senior banker.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2023
 
Amid the ongoing executive-judiciary tussle, the coalition government managed through the National Assembly on Monday the rejection of its own demand for provision of Rs21 billion as supplementary grant to the ECP for holding polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakht*unkhwa, thus nullifying the Supreme Court’s third directive for the release of funds for the purpose.

Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf put the motion before the house for a voice vote after it was moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on behalf of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar through supplementary agenda.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who came to the house after chairing an emergency meeting of the cabinet on the same issue, remained present during the proceedings which lasted for nearly two hours.
 
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan waded through the debate on the legality of caretaker governments in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), proposing the appointment of “administrators” with sole purpose of holding elections.

Talking informally to journalists at the Lahore High Court (LHC), Imran said that the caretaker governments came to conduct elections, but the current set-ups were doing everything except election.

“This caretaker government has come with some other agenda. The caretaker government is doing everything, except holding the elections,” he said. He demanded removal of these interim set-ups and appointment of administrators in their place.

“After 90 days, the caretaker governments will have no constitutional status. Anything done after 90 days will be unconstitutional. They should be removed and replaced by an administrator whose only responsibility would be elections,” he said.

Caretaker governments came in Punjab and K-P after the provincial assemblies in the two provinces were dissolved. This week, both the set-ups are reaching the defined constitutional limit of 90 days.

Since, elections are not taking place in 90 days, a constitutional and political debate has started among the legal minds in the country about the status of the set-ups following expiry of their 90-days term.

Imran said that caretakers had something else on their agenda. He accused the Punjab caretaker government of political victimisation of his party, which no elected government had ever done. “This is part of the London Plan [and] promises are made to Nawaz Sharif.”

Speaking about the Supreme Court’s order to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for giving Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the elections in Punjab, he said if the SBP did not give the money, it meant that the rule of Constitution had ended.

Responding to another question, the PTI chairman said that former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa campaigned for damaging “our government's relationship with the United States and Saudi Arabia” because he wanted extension of his service.

“We had good relations with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and [former US president Donald] Trump along with [then British prime minister] Boris Johnson,” Imran said. “It was gen [retd] Bajwa who campaigned against us because he wanted extension.

When asked about the talks suggested by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq, Imran said that “the Constitution does not require negotiations, yet we are negotiating”, adding, all legal experts agreed that elections must be held within 90 days.



Express Tribune
 
There won't be any elections for 5 years at least..the country is fast becoming a lost cause.
 
the Great Khan said:
There won't be any elections for 5 years at least..the country is fast becoming a lost cause.
Click to expand...

Can you please come with me to horse races :D

==

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday expressed serious reservations over holding of Punjab Assembly elections on May 14, warning that “anarchy and chaos” can breakout in the country if its itinerary for polls is not followed.

A three-judge bench – led by the chief justice and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan – on April 4 declared as “unconstitutional” the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone the election for the Punjab Assembly to October 8 and ordered it to hold polls in the province on May 14.

On March 22, the ECP delayed the provincial assembly election in the politically-crucial Punjab province by more than five months, citing a deteriorating security situation in the cash-starved country.

In its report submitted to the Supreme Court in the same case earlier today, the electoral body said it will not be possible for the ECP to ensure “honest, just, fair and peaceful election to the provincial Assembly of Punjab” in view of the charged political environment and reports by relevant stake holders including security agencies and the provincial government.

“In view of the […] detailed deliberation and considering the circumstances, reports, briefings and material brought before it, by the Provincial Governments, Ministries of Defense and Interior and the Intelligence Agencies, is of sanguine view that in the present charged political environment, and resultant volatile law and order situation, cross border terrorism, insurgencies, potential threats to the leaders and consequent lack of foolproof security, non-provision of troops in a static mode coupled with lack of requisite funds , it will not be possible for the Commission to ensure honest, just ,fair and peaceful election to the provincial Assembly of Punjab,” read the ECP report.

Express Tribune
 
No chance- the army is at the head of the mafia and they fear accountability, even more their puppets fear democracy. Democracy has been killed by the mafia. PK has become a total basket case
 
SC to shortly hear defence ministry’s plea to hold elections across Pakistan simultaneously

A three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench will shortly hear the defence ministry’s request to hold general elections across Pakistan simultaneously upon completion of the terms of national as well as Sindh and Balochistan assemblies.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar will take up the plea at 11:30am.

A day earlier, the defence ministry filed an application in the SC, requesting the top court to recall its April 4 order that had fixed May 14 as the election date for the Punjab Assembly.

The application asked the apex court to issue directives that general elections to the national and all provincial assemblies be held on the same date.

Along with the application, the defence ministry also issued a report in court, laid before the SC in compliance with its directives to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and other departments to furnish reports after releasing Rs21 billion to the ECP for holding elections to the Punjab and KP assemblies.

In its report, the ministry highlighted the need of holding the elections on the same day in view of the heightened security situation in the country. It also said that the armed forces would be able to carry out election duties by early October.

“Due to the prevalent security situation and counter-terrorism operations being carried out in KP and Balochistan as well as the intelligence-based operations in Punjab and Sindh, the armed forces, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and other forces are not logistically available to be repositioned and re-posted for providing election security, twice in a span of six months,” the report said.

“Significant time is required to prepare the members of the armed forces for the election duty, given much of the force has been actively engaged in operations for a considerable period of time,” the application said, adding the security situation in Punjab and Sindh has been stable in the light of the efforts of the ongoing operations in KP and Balochistan, respectively.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1748496/s...hold-elections-across-pakistan-simultaneously
 
The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared as inadmissible for hearing the defence ministry’s plea to hold general elections across Pakistan simultaneously upon completion of the terms of the national as well as Sindh and Balochistan assemblies.

The apex court also warned the government of “serious consequences” if it failed to release the funds required for conducting polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while hearing the defence ministry’s request.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar heard the petition.

A day earlier, the defence ministry filed an application in the SC, requesting the top court to recall its April 4 order that had fixed May 14 as the election date for the Punjab Assembly.

The application asked the apex court to issue directives that general elections to the national and all provincial assemblies be held on the same date.

Along with the application, the defence ministry also issued a report in court, laid before the SC in compliance with its directives to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and other departments to furnish reports after releasing Rs21 billion to the ECP for holding elections to the Punjab and KP assemblies.

In its report, the ministry highlighted the need of holding the elections on the same day in view of the heightened security situation in the country. It also said that the armed forces would be able to carry out election duties by early October.

“Due to the prevalent security situation and counter-terrorism operations being carried out in KP and Balochistan as well as the intelligence-based operations in Punjab and Sindh, the armed forces, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and other forces are not logistically available to be repositioned and re-posted for providing election security, twice in a span of six months,” the report said.

“Significant time is required to prepare the members of the armed forces for the election duty, given much of the force has been actively engaged in operations for a considerable period of time,” the application said, adding the security situation in Punjab and Sindh has been stable in the light of the efforts of the ongoing operations in KP and Balochistan, respectively.

Therefore, any diversion of troops from KP and Balochistan will result in directly affecting the security situation in Punjab and Sindh, the application explained.

DAWN
 
Despite giving the impression that it sticks to its April 4 order for holding election for the Punjab Assembly on May 14, the Supreme Court has realised that security is a serious concern.

On Monday, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief and the Director General Military Operation (DGMO) met with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and other two apex court judges who are hearing a case related to holding polls in Punjab on May 14.

Sources revealed to The Express Tribune that in the meeting, the ISI chief and the DGMO had informed the judges why it would not be possible for the army troops to provide security at Punjab Assembly elections.

CJP Bandial on Wednesday said the intelligence officials had given the court a complete picture about the engagement of the army personnel to deal with terrorism.

However, instead of accepting the pleas of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the defence ministry for recalling its April 4 order, the three-judge bench, has taken a different route by issuing notices to all majority political parties over a constitutional petition for holding elections of all provincial and the National Assemblies on the same date.

The petition, filed by Sardar Kashif Khan who is a permanent citizen of Abbottabad, has engaged Shah Khawar as his counsel.

Interestingly, the petition was filed by this 'citizen' on Tuesday evening and the same was listed for hearing on Wednesday.

The counsel for petitioner said there is need for political dialogue for ending the impasse on the issue of holding general elections for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) assemblies.

"Whereas the court vide its judgment dated 04.04.2023 had directed the general elections to Punjab Provincial Assembly to be held on 14.05.2023, there is resistance to compliance with the said direction by the ECP, the federal government and the ministry of defence."

The bench in its order appreciated the initiative taken by the petitioner to propose the initiation of a political dialogue as a means for setting a practical and feasible date for holding general elections that satisfy the requirement of Article 218(3) of the Constitution.

If the present proceeding is the outcome of the in-camera briefing by spymasters then both the coalition government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will agree on a date for holding all elections. Both sides may show willingness for dialogue today (Thursday).

It is witnessed that the bench has given mixed signals by not entertaining defence ministry's and the ECP's contentions as well as giving observations on the implications of the government's failure to approve supplementary budget of Rs21 billion for elections from the parliament.

That has also given hope to the PTI that the present government will face tough times in the court. Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chaudhry Fawad Hussain will represent the PTI before the bench. The PTI wants to end harassment of its workers and supporters.

A dialogue cannot be successful until the superior judiciary does not compel the PTI to do so. Likewise powerful circles should also urge the coalition government to show willingness to reach a political settlement.

Presently, the government and the establishment want general elections in the month of October. However, the PTI and the CJP want elections before the end of the incumbent government term in September.

During the hearing, Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that both sides should show bonafide intentions in the dialogue.

The ongoing judicial politics is also linked with national politics. One section of judges within the SC is facing a tough time. It is debatable whether the division in the SC will also diminish if political stakeholders come to an agreement regarding polls.

Barrister Zafarullah, the counsel for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said no legal question can be raised on the legitimacy of the government after the defeat of its finance bill in the parliament.

Another lawyer said Pakistan has a written Constitution and "conventions here do not have the status of the Constitution like the United Kingdom".

During Wednesday’s hearing, it appeared that all stakeholders want to get a face-saving without giving an impression that they are backtracking from their position.

PML-N Lawyer Barrister Zafarullah said that no legal question could be raised on the legitimacy of the government after the defeat of its finance bill in parliament.

Another lawyer said that Pakistan had a written Constitution, unlike the UK, and “we do not have conventions having any status of the Constitution”.
 
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the federal coalition and PTI to sit together and develop a consensus on elections in the country by 4pm, but at the same time asserted that it would not go back on its order fixing May 14 as the date for elections to the Punjab Assembly.

The directives were issued by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar as the apex court took up a petition seeking to hold general elections to all the national and provincial assemblies in the country simultaneously.

At the previous hearing, the court had issued notices to the PTI, PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, MQM-P, BNP-Mengal, Awami National Party, Balochistan Awami Party, PML-Q, the law secretary, Election Comm*ission of Pakistan (ECP), Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan and Jamaat-i-Islami, asking the parties to send their senior office-bearers for today’s proceedings.

A day earlier, the court heard identical pleas —filed by the defence ministry and a citizen — seeking elections to all the assemblies at the same time. It had, however, declared the defence ministry’s plea as inadmissible.

A number of political leaders including Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Ayaz Sadiq, PML-Q’s Tariq Bashir Cheema, MQM leader Sabir Hussain Qaimkhani, JI emir Sirajul Haq and others attended the hearing today.

DAWN
 
Based on ‘assurances’ from powerful quarters that May 14 elections to the Punjab Assembly are nowhere in sight, the Sharifs have not awarded party tickets to any aspirant, prompting the rival PTI to claim that PML-N has lost respect among the masses by opting to boycott the polls.

Thursday was the last day for submitting party tickets to the Election Commission of Pakistan for allotment of electoral symbols.

The submission of no party tickets by PML-N aspirants means that if the elections are held, the party will have two choices — either to boycott the process or ask candidates to contest independently with its support.

The PML-N has told aspirants that since Punjab elections seem doubtful in May, they should not be worried about party tickets.


Sharifs trying to save themselves from humiliation at people’s hands, says Imran

An insider told Dawn that the Sharifs were ‘super confident’ after receiving a ‘blanket assurance’ from the establishment that elections would not be held next month.

The source said that in addition to the powers-that-be, parties in the federal coalition were unanimous in their opinion that they would do everything in their power to forestall next month’s polls. If the PML-N had any doubts, they would have certainly awarded tickets to its candidates, the source added.

“The Sharifs think that even if the SC sticks to its decision to hold the Punjab elections on May 14 after the failure of political parties to reach a consensus on the same-day polls for all provincial and national assemblies, the federal coalition with the help of the powers-that-be would find a way to achieve its target,” he claimed.

A federal cabinet member told Dawn that the ruling coalition was ready for any sacrifice to forestall elections that were being held only in ‘one province’.

“Although PML-N leaders and former lawmakers have submitted their nomination papers for the May 14 polls, party Quaid Nawaz Sharif and others have decided not to award tickets to the aspirants to give a clear message to the apex court that PML-N does not accept its decision,” he said.

The PML-N, however, has not boycotted the elections as it has not asked its candidates to withdraw their papers.

PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz and PM Shehbaz Sharif’s son Hamza Shehbaz are in the run. Ms Nawaz is contesting on four seats while Mr Hamza on three.

‘Big coward’

Reacting to the PML-N’s decision on tickets, PTI chief Imran Khan termed Nawaz Sharif a “big coward”, saying the “absconder” was leading a party of cowards.

“Seeing its defeat ‘written on the wall’, the Sharifs and PDM are running away from elections,” Mr Khan said while talking to supporters during Iftar on Thursday.

Meanwhile, PTI central president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi said PML-N had lost its respect and worth among the masses by keeping away from the May 14 elections.

Mr Elahi was speaking at a meeting with former federal minister Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Overseas Pakistanis Hong Kong president Chaudhry Gulzar Mohammad, former Lahore Bar president Asim Cheema, Chaudhry Akram and former minister Muhammad Akram at his residence.

Mr Elahi said PML-N is running away from elections just to save itself from a humiliating defeat at the hands of people.

Lashing out at the Sharifs’ decision not to award the party tickets, he observed that PML-N wanted to create an undemocratic process in the country.

The PTI president said PDM was ready for negotiations on the Supreme Court’s order but not prepared to hold elections.

“If incompetent rulers do not give up their stubbornness, the consequences can be serious,” he cautioned and added that political parties never closed doors of negotiations.

Mr Elahi declared that Pakistan’s politics was incomplete without Imran Khan and asserted that PDM would have to negotiate with Imran Khan in any case. He said everyone needed to find a safe way for the welfare of people.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid said that those PTI aspirants who did not get party tickets for Punjab Assembly elections should work to play their role in the National Assembly and local government elections.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2023
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I will begin the tickets review process from tomorrow till 26th of cases sent to me by the 4 Reconciliation committees that were formed for this purpose.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1649398945901166592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Senior PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Hammad Azhar and Shahbaz Gill have expressed their confidence in party chief Imran Khan despite not being awarded party tickets for contesting the Punjab elections, it emerged on Friday.

For the elections, which the top court had ordered to be held on May 14, the PTI finalised a list of 297 candidates earlier this week. PTI Chairman Imran Khan had decided to interview all party candidates in person to uphold merit in awarding party tickets.

He had previously stated that the team entrusted with the task in 2018 was negligent in performing its duties, therefore, the ex-premier held one-on-one interviews with all candidates to select nominees from April 6 to April 18.

According to the list of candidates published on the PTI’s website, Raja Basharat, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Usmar Dar, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Hashim Dogar, Zain Qureshi and Usman Buzdar have been awarded party tickets.
 
LAHORE: A day after the party awarded tickets to candidates for elections to the Punjab Assembly, PTI chief Imran Khan announced that he would be reviewing the complaints of those who had missed out.

But even before the party chief began the review process, supporters of some aspirants had already begun protests, seeking a review of the decision to award tickets for their constituencies.

“I will begin the tickets review process from tomorrow till 26th of cases sent to me by the four Reconciliation Committees that were formed for this purpose,” Mr Khan tweeted on Friday.

The announcement by the PTI chief came after the Election Commission of Pakistan extended the date for submission of party tickets until April 26. Earlier, ECP had set April 20 as the final day for submission of tickets.

According to party sources, over 80 per cent of tickets have been handed over to deserving candidates and there are disputes on around 20pc of seats.

“The contentions are among the candidates who had submitted nomination papers for respective constituencies thinking they were better suited to represent their areas,” the source said, adding that in some constituencies, up to 10 candidates had submitted nomination papers in hopes of getting a ticket.

For 297 constituencies, the party received some 1,500 applications and tickets have been awarded by the PTI chairman to 285 candidates, the source told Dawn.

A decision on 12 seats — PP-57, PP-61, PP-124, PP-162, PP-177, PP-204, PP-221, PP-234, PP-244, PP-251, PP-253 and PP-272 — is still pending.

Following the award of tickets, the PTI constituted four reconciliation committees to recommend an adjustment in the list of candidates, the source said.

The committees have now been converted into “review committees” to hear the candidates’ grievances and forward their recommendations to Mr Khan.

The North Punjab review committee is headed by retired Brig Musadiq Abbasi, Central Punjab by Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, West Punjab by Hassan Nawaz and South Punjab by Aon Abbas Bappi.

“There would have been no complaints or rifts if the ECP had not extended the date for submission of nomination papers,” the source said. “Now, with the date extended, the review committees will engage the complainants until April 26.”

The source added that in case of any change in the earlier awards, the candidates who received the tickets and submitted them before the ECP ahead of the previous date would have to hand them over to the new candidates.

When contacted, Central Punjab review committee head Senator Ejaz Chaudhry said there were individual complaints as those who were denied the tickets agitated, claiming that they were stronger candidates than those who were awarded the tickets.

However, he denied the influence of any pressure groups or lobby vying for tickets.

Exceptions and surprises

Mr Khan has been saying for months that he would personally interview each aspirant and only choose the strongest one to be the PTI’s candidate. However, the final list issued after the extensive interview process had several notable exceptions – such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry and Hammad Azhar – which didn’t go unnoticed.

With these heavyweights out of the race, the chief minister’s seat, at this stage, apparently has only two hopefuls — newly-inducted PTI president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Usman Buzdar.

Mr Khan’s former chief of staff Shahbaz Gill, who was allegedly tortured during custody, was also denied a ticket.

Fawad Chaudhry recently expressed his reservations about not being considered for the provincial assembly, adding that the chief minister’s slot was attractive if one was interested in bringing about a change.

He added that he couldn’t do anything, as the decision was taken by Mr Khan himself.

Hammad Azhar said the PTI chairman had informed him that his services will be needed in the federal government and this was the reason he withdrew his nomination papers for the provincial assembly seat.

Former Punjab minister Murad Raas has also been denied a ticket. Though Mr Raas didn’t say anything publicly, party insiders claim Mr Khan was not happy with his performance as the minister.

They also claimed that Mr Raas was not seen in the field when party leaders and workers were facing the wrath of the state authorities.

Former Punjab minister for higher education Raja Yasir Humayun had also not been considered for the ticket. Mr Humayun, however, said he has always been vying for the National Assembly ticket.

Additionally, as per his commitment to Mr Elahi, who recently merged his faction of the PML-Q with the PTI, Mr Khan has fully facilitated ex-PML-Q leaders who tagged along with Mr Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi.

All 10 former MPAs, who were part of the PML-Q, have been awarded tickets and two women MPAs —Baasima Chaudhry and Khadija Umar — have been placed on the list for reserved seats.

Mr Khan has also awarded the ticket to Moonis Elahi from PP-32 (Gujrat-V).

The PTI chief’s decision to award a ticket to Mehr Abdul Sattar from PP-186 (Okara-IV) was widely welcomed. Mr Sattar was a leader of the Anjuman-i-Mizareen and had been fighting for the rights of tenants of Military Farms in Okara.

Former Punjab health minister and PTI Central Punjab president Dr Yasmin Rashid has been given a ticket from PP-173, Lahore, where she will face-off against PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who had submitted her nomination papers.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2023
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with his legal team and some PML-N leaders on Friday, vowing to hold the parliament ‘supreme’ in the face of apex court decisions regarding elections to the Punjab Assembly and staying implementation of the SC (Practice and Procedure) law.

Legal brains of the party — federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman and former law minister Zahid Hamid — briefed the premier about the possible consequences the government could face after the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, became law despite the apex court’s order.

The SC had halted implementation of the bill seeking to curtail the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) powers to take suo motu notices and constituting benches. The bill became an act on Friday.

“The PM was told by the government’s legal brains that he is “legally safe” if the SC takes note of the violation of its order, a source told Dawn.

DAWN
 
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan has said that if the government disobeys the Supreme Court's orders concerning Punjab elections, he will "bring the nation out on the streets".

The PTI had organised an event for its workers to celebrate Eid at Zaman Park late on Sunday evening.

Addressing the event via video link, the PTI chief expressed fear that the PDM-led government would defy court orders.

"If this happens," he said, "then I will bring the nation out onto the streets".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Our struggle is regarding establishing rule of law in our country”-<a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EidWithImranKhan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EidWithImranKhan</a> <a href="https://t.co/QZavK9JCa3">pic.twitter.com/QZavK9JCa3</a></p>— PTI (@PTIofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1649827566830616576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Express Tribune
 
ECP urged to restrain Punjab caretaker govt
In letter to CEC, Sheikh Rashid says interim set-up failed to hold elections in 90 days

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was asked on Friday to stop the Punjab caretaker government’s from making any transfers and postings because its constitutional tenure ended after 90 days.

The request was made in a letter sent by the Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rashid and a citizen Muneer Ahmed to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and all the ECP members through advocate Azhar Siddique.

The letter contended that in the interest of justice, equity and fair play, all responsibilities conferred upon the caretaker cabinet be revoked immediately, keeping in view the Article 218 (3) and the Article 220 of the Constitution.

It stated that the then Punjab chief minister, in exercise of his powers under Article 112 of the Constitution, advised the governor to dissolve the provincial assembly and ultimately, the legislature stood dissolved on January 14, 2023.

Express Tribune
 
RANA SANAULLAH SAYS ‘ASSEMBLIES TO COMPLETE TENURE ON AUGUST 16’

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Monday that the assemblies will complete its tenure on August 16 and a caretaker government will hold simultaneous elections in the country, ARY News reported.

While addressing a public gathering in Kamalpur village of Faisalabad, Rana Sanaullah said, “Fair and free elections will be held this year. It is necessary to hold fair and free elections in the country.

“However, Imran Khan will not accept the election results and level vote rigging allegations if we emerge victorious in the next elections. He [PTI chief Imran Khan] wants chaos in the country,” alleged Sanaullah.

Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, he said that Imran Khan rejected to hold talks with the opposition when he was ruling the country and now, he is rejecting to hold dialogues with the government.

“Khan’s government did nothing in its four-year tenure and he became the first prime minister who was removed from his office via no-trust move.”

The interior minister also blamed the ex-premier Imran Khan for signing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on tough conditions. He said that the incumbent government hiked the petrol prices and ended up subsidies on gas and electricity due to IMF’s pressure.

ARY
 
daytrader said:
RANA SANAULLAH SAYS ‘ASSEMBLIES TO COMPLETE TENURE ON AUGUST 16’

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Monday that the assemblies will complete its tenure on August 16 and a caretaker government will hold simultaneous elections in the country, ARY News reported.

While addressing a public gathering in Kamalpur village of Faisalabad, Rana Sanaullah said, “Fair and free elections will be held this year. It is necessary to hold fair and free elections in the country.

“However, Imran Khan will not accept the election results and level vote rigging allegations if we emerge victorious in the next elections. He [PTI chief Imran Khan] wants chaos in the country,” alleged Sanaullah.

Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, he said that Imran Khan rejected to hold talks with the opposition when he was ruling the country and now, he is rejecting to hold dialogues with the government.

“Khan’s government did nothing in its four-year tenure and he became the first prime minister who was removed from his office via no-trust move.”

The interior minister also blamed the ex-premier Imran Khan for signing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on tough conditions. He said that the incumbent government hiked the petrol prices and ended up subsidies on gas and electricity due to IMF’s pressure.

ARY
Click to expand...

The Mafia have 20% of the vote, they have never ever won a fair election and never will
 
Bewal Express said:
Rig, and then have Easy Paisa to throw out the cases in Sept when he becomes CJP
Click to expand...

You cant rig so much, its near impossible now as the simple voter turnout will be such a force for PTI. They have failed in rigging the local elections.

I think they will make a run for it. I think Russia, China have reminded Pak army they are involved in the SCO and any more leaning to the US will worsen their relations.
 
Days before a Supreme Court hearing on the date for elections across the country, PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Monday asked the ruling coalition to conduct elections, warning that in case of the government’s failure to call snap polls, the PTI alongside its supporters would take to the streets to protect the Constitution.

Speaking to party workers through video link from his Zaman Park residence, Mr Khan said the rulers were afraid of elections, knowing well that “they would be defeated and Imran Khan might revert the NRO and recover Rs1,100 billion looted money stashed abroad”.

“If this government violated the Constitution and the Supreme Court decision, the party workers and supporters as well as each Pakistani should get ready to come out on the roads for peaceful protests across the country,” Mr Khan said in his message to the nation.

He asserted that a country become a ‘Banana Republic’ if its Constitution was violated.


“It is mandatory for every Pakistani to come out on roads to save the Constitution…to protect the fundamental rights of people of Pakistan,” he asserted.

Imran says he ‘has no desire for revenge’ after coming to power; summons meeting of party leaders over ticket complaints

Answering questions from pro-PTI journalists at the event, Mr Khan said a country’s system is strengthened when its institutions, including judiciary, army, bureaucracy and police, become strong through merit.

No thirst for revenge

Mr Khan dispelled the impression that he would take revenge on his rivals after coming to power and asserted, “I will not take revenge but ensure the upholding of rule of law in the country”. He also said the PTI was not doing politics for personal gains but to drive the country out of crises.

Answering another question about Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s proposed visit to India, Mr Khan said he had “severed relationships with India” when they had snatched Kashmiris’ statehood by revoking Article 370 on August 5, 2019. He asserted that Kashmiris’ martyrdoms should not go to waste and they must be given their due rights. “Pakistan can go for normalization of relations with India if it withdraws its decision of snatching statehood from Kashmiris,” he said.

A day earlier in his video-link address to the party workers at Zaman Park, Mr Khan said the PTI wanted to bring change through the power of the vote but the opponents were running away from elections. “The PTI’s opponents should be put on ECL before holding elections so that they should not run away from the country,” Mr Khan suggested.

The PTI chief said he along with his party workers was fighting a war for real independence in a peaceful manner. “Real independence is the core objective of my party’s struggle.”

He said only those nations progressed that upheld rule of law, while those committing injustices failed. In Pakistan, he regretted, the powerful were getting NROs, while the weak were being picked by unknown people and tortured.

Mr Khan regretted that PTI’s Instagram coordinator Attaur Rehman was picked and no one knew about his whereabouts for the past six days.

The PTI chief also tweeted that it had been five days since the PTI activist was abducted. “We demand his immediate release and an end to abductions & torture of our social media activists. These young people have committed no crime and are being penalised simply for being part of PTI’s social media team,” he wrote on his Twitter handle.

Tickets for Punjab polls

PTI chief Imran Khan has called a meeting of review committees’ heads and district presidents to explain the complaints of the candidates who were not given tickets.

Sources say many aspirants were complaining and submitting certain proofs to explain that they were better-suited candidates in their respective constituencies.

They say Mr Khan would listen to party leaders on complaints and may decide to alter his decision regarding the award of the tickets.

While some 1,500 candidates had submitted their nomination papers to the Election Commission of Pakistan, Mr Khan said he could interview some 1,000 candidates before deciding about the award of party tickets. The PTI is supposed to take a decision about the change of party ticket candidate by Tuesday (today) night because Wednesday (tomorrow) would be the last date for submitting fresh party tickets.

Answering a question, Mr Khan said he would also interview women candidates looking for nomination on reserved seats. He said the criteria to select women candidates would be their loyalty towards the party and their capacity to contribute to the assembly.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2023
 
Ahead of the Supreme Court mandated deadline for political parties to reach a consensus on a new date for elections in Punjab on Wednesday, the roster for Bench 1 of the apex court was revised due to the 'indisposition' of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.

The CJP’s bench was delisted along with all cases before it. The SC Registrar issued a notification delisting the cases but did not specify the reasons.

"It is to inform that the Court Roster regarding Bench-I for Wednesday, 26th April 2023, has been revised due to the indisposition of the Hon'ble Chief Justice of Pakistan."

Earlier, the apex court had asked all political parties to evolve a consensus on the date for holding simultaneous general elections of the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies expeditiously; otherwise, the court noted, its order regarding the Punjab Assembly elections on May 14 would come into force.

For today’s SC hearings, a new bench consisting Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Aminuddin Khan was constituted to hear all the cases. The top court's Registrar’s Office released the list of cases the new bench would hear.

Today’s hearings would be conducted by three benches: Bench 2, comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Aminuddin Khan; Bench 3, comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Shahid Waheed; and Bench 4, comprising Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi.

The present composition suggests that one section of judges holds the majority in three benches after the revision of the roster for Bench 1.

Earlier Justice Mandokhail and Justice Minallah were part of the bench led by CJP Bandial.

Two senior judges, Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, were also not available for the bench on Wednesday.

There is already debate regarding whether the three senior judges committee will start working after the notification of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023, which clips the CJP’s powers to take suo motu action and constitute benches.

However, an eight-member larger bench of the apex court led by CJP Bandial already suspended the legislation.

Express Tribune
 
Imran Khan says they’ll take to the streets and protest peacefully if PDM doesn’t follow the orders of the court.

Protesting peacefully isn’t going change anything, sadly the people of Pakistan need to come out to the streets like how the Sri Lankans did. If their voices are being heard through elections then they make it heard by taking to the streets and marching towards the PM’s house.
 
Election in Punjab on May 14 becomes impossible for ECP
The schedule for printing of ballot papers and electoral rolls has been badly disturbed, says ECP source

Holding of elections in Punjab on May 14 now seems impossible because of non-provision of funding required for printing of ballot papers and pictorial electoral rolls, and training of polling personnel.

The original schedule for the printing of ballot papers and pictorial electoral rolls has been badly disturbed and delayed and now it is not possible to catch up with the time loss that has already occurred.

Election Commission sources said that the ECP has already informed the Supreme Court that it will not be in a position to print ballot papers which will result in halting or delaying the election process.

The printing of ballot papers was to start on April 20 and completed by May 9 but it could not start as yet because of non-availability of finances required.

Similarly, the printing of pictorial electoral rolls has already started and delayed. For May 14 elections, the printing of these rolls was required to commence on April 11 and completed by May 5. The Supreme Court was told by the ECP that the printing of electoral rolls would not be possible well in time which may disturb the election scheme.

The entire operation of training of polling personnel has also been delayed due to non-release of funds.

The ECP also needed funds to make payments for deployment of armed forces but in this case the armed forces are not ready for election duties because of their primary responsibilities. The Supreme Court was told by the commission that a peaceful polling process cannot be ensured with the deployment of police personnel only and the deployment of armed and civil armed forces is essential as a static mode for free, fair and transparent elections. The funding issue aside, the commission is also in favour of holding elections in Punjab on Oct 8, 2023. In its report presented before the SC, the commission recently reiterated its position on holding elections on October 8. It had warned the apex court that if the commission’s itinerary is not followed, it might lead to anarchy and chaos in the country.

“The responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan is not only to conduct elections but that such elections should be free, fair and transparent, so that the voters can cast their votes freely, without fear and peacefully. It is reiterated that the poll date of Oct 8, 2023 as announced earlier is in keeping with the ground realities and it is also believed that if this itinerary is not followed, it may lead to anarchy and chaos in our country, the responsibility of which ECP cannot withstand,” read the report submitted before the three-member bench by the secretary ECP on behalf of the commission last week.

...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1064071-election-in-punjab-on-may-14-becomes-impossible-for-ecp
 
Govt doubles down on same-day polls demand ahead of SC deadline
PM says arbitration not SC's job; deems Oct-Nov 'appropriate' for polls after key meeting with coalition leaders

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that October or November would be appropriate for holding elections across the country, reiterating the government's resolve to push for all provincial and National Assembly polls to be held simultaneously.

The PM expressed his dismay over the apex court's decision to hold elections in Punjab on May 14 during his address to the federal cabinet in Islamabad and said that the issue of funding the elections would once again be sent back to parliament.

He also stressed that all coalition parties were unanimous against piecemeal elections.

Despite the joint house's "constitutional efforts to address matters concerning the Supreme Court", the premier said that "the situation is still very challenging".

"For instance," he continued, "the SC wishes to pursue matters with the three-member bench" which "the parliament had rejected".

Furthermore, PM Shehbaz said that the government still stood by its interpretation of the apex court's earlier April 4 verdict as 4-3.

"It is our moral and political duty to respect the decisions made by the parliament," he stressed, adding that he did not agree with the idea "that the SC should be given the job of an arbiter".

"To act like a panchayat is not their job," he underscored, "their job is to decide matters as per the Constitution".

"The parliament completes its term on August 13 and if 90 days are added to that then the date should add up to November or October," he said

Notably, the premier's address came only hours after a crucial meeting with leaders of the ruling coalition.

The meeting was attended by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Foreign Minister and PPP Co-Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari alongside other important members of the federal coalition and federal ministers.

Express Tribune
 
National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Wednesday that he will be writing a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, conveying to him the “sentiments and thoughts” of members of the House about Supreme Court (SC) orders on elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as the release of funds in this regard.

Ashraf announced the decision after taking “sense of the House” — expressed by members by thumping of desks — and on the call of several lawmakers, particularly the PML-N’s Muhammad Barjees Tahir, who asserted parliament’s supremacy.

The NA speaker’s decision also followed the federal cabinet’s decision to again refer to parliament the finance ministry’s summary for the release of funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for polls in Punjab and KP.

DAWN
 
All eyes on CJP-led bench hearing polls case in open court today
Supreme Court will today resume hearing on petitions seeking general elections of national and provincial assemblies on same date

Amid speculations, the Supreme Court will Thursday (today) take up a petition seeking general elections to the national and provincial assemblies on the same date.

A three-member bench of the apex court — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umer Ata Bandial — will hear the petition of Sardar Kashif Khan.

The two other members of the bench are Justice Ijazul Ahsen and Justice Munib Akhtar.

Instead of hearing the matter in the chamber, the bench will hear the matter in the open court at 11:30am.

Last week, the court had adjourned the hearing on the matter till April 27 after Attorney General Mansoor Awan and Farooq H Naek of Pakistan Peoples Party met in the chamber and apprised the bench about the deliberations among the senior cabinet members and their interaction with a senior officer-bearer of the PTI.

The bench was told that a recess was being taken on account of Eidul Fitr and several political leaders and party heads had already left or were leaving Islamabad for their hometowns.

They, however, informed the bench that a meeting had been scheduled among the leaders on April 26 and any progress in this regard would be reported to the court on April 27. After issuing its written order, the court held that its judgment rendered on the petition [delay in the elections] had already fixed May 14 as the election date to the Punjab Assembly election.

“That judgment holds the field and, therefore, its ruling is binding on all judicial and executive authorities in the country under Article 189 and Article 190 of the Constitution,” the court order said. Later, the court adjourned the matter until April 27 for further proceedings.

On April 19, the court had declared as non-maintainable the defence ministry’s plea seeking simultaneous general elections across the country and directed the government to release Rs21 billion by April 27 to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding general elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.

...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/10...sc-takes-up-plea-for-polls-on-same-date-today
 
The CJP is there to interpret the law, not become a massi trying to do rajnama. The mafia and the Generals are playing for time and he has not done both Munir and SS for contempt
 
No funds provided for polls, ECP tells apex court

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has submitted a report to the Supreme Court, saying it has not yet received any funds against the Rs21 billion required to conduct elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.

Though full contents of the fresh report are not known, the two-page reply has explained the latest situation about the unavailability of funds to the commission.

Earlier on April 18, the commission took the plea before the court that staggering of polls by holding them for Punjab and KP assemblies was not feasible since it would incur significantly more expenses compared to holding the exercise on one day.

That report was filed in line with the court’s April 14 directions, in which the commission had taken the view that an already depleted security apparatus would require weeks in advance for its movement.

The ECP also pointed out that staggering of elections could risk increase in violence since the losing party in one constituency would likely create violence in some other constituency in the next phase to offset chances of the perceived loss.

The incidents of influencing results through rigging in the next phase may also increase, the ECP had feared, adding that staggering of elections raises risk of violence as outlaws would have more chances to plan and commit attacks than the one-day limited window of opportunity.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1749931/no-funds-provided-for-polls-ecp-tells-apex-court
 
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said that if the government dissolves the National Assembly by May 14 and goes towards elections, we are ready to accept the condition of holding simultaneous polls in the entire country, but malice is evident in the matter of dissolving the assembly after the budget.

Addressing the senior PTI leaders on Saturday, the former prime minister said, “If you [the coalition rulers] want to pass the budget, first win the election and the people will give you their mandate.”

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry, Shibli Faraz, Senator Azam Swati, Ijaz Chaudhry, Hammad Azhar, Mahmood Khan and others were in attendance.

During the meeting, the former prime minister was given a detailed briefing on the dialogue process with the government, while various proposals and future courses of action also came under discussion.

Read PTI rejects ‘attempts to sabotage’ election talks with govt

The meeting strongly condemned the late-night raid at the residence of central party president and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

Sources said that the leadership present at the meeting opined that the police operation could be a conspiracy to abruptly end the talks with the government.

The participants believed that if the party called off the dialogue, the government might get an opportunity to fight their case for delaying the elections in the Supreme Court.

The leaders also suggested that the talks with the government should not linger on but if their proposal was not accepted, the dialogue could be called off. However, the leaders expressed their opinion that talks with the government should continue.

While talking to the media, PTI Central Punjab General Secretary Azhar confirmed that the negotiations with the government would continue, adding that no one was against it.

Meanwhile, the PTI leaders also condemned the late-night raid on the residence of Elahi, terming it the worst kind of political victimisation.

A team of Punjab police and Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) raided Elahi's residence, but after the six-hour long operation, they failed to apprehend the former chief minister. The action drew strong criticism from the PTI, which had already been voicing concerns against the arrest of its workers and leaders.

After meeting the family of Elahi, PTI Vice Chairman Qureshi pointed out to the media that the former CM was on bail and still the police raided his house to arrest him, adding that without any search warrant, the sanctity of his house was violated. “I am lost for words and strongly condemn the government action,” he added.

He praised the PTI president and his family for showing courage and determination while facing state brutality.

He said that everyone knew that when PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif faced a difficult time, Elahi provided relief to his family instead of giving them a tough time.

“The PTI was passing through a tough time. Not too long ago, the residence of PTI Chairman Imran’s also came under an attack when his wife was alone in the house,” he recalled.

Qureshi told the media that during the meeting with the coalition government, he said that on the one hand, they were negotiating and on the other, their workers were being arrested. “What is happening?”

He said, “After we raised this issue with the government team, the workers were released.”

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad in his tweet also condemned the police action, saying that the attack on Elahi's house, the detention of PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur despite securing bail, and the arrests of the party workers were making the negotiation process meaningless.

“If the government’s negotiation team cannot maintain a cordial atmosphere for talks, despite giving their assurances, how can it take big decisions?

In the meeting under the PTI chairman, we will decide whether to continue the talks or not,” he added.

Soon after hearing the news, Elahi's son Moonis took to Twitter to slam the police action, saying that the Punjab police had arrived at their residence to arrest his father, though he was granted bail in the case.

PTI senior leader Senator Ali Zafar was baffled by the raid on Elahi's house, saying on the one hand, the negotiations were in progress in a cordial atmosphere and the two parties were making progress and on the other hand, a police operation was carried out. “I do not understand its purpose,” he added.

“The attack on Elahi's house was against the norms of democracy as the sanctity of his house and women were violated. Today, we will decide whether to attend the negotiation meeting on Tuesday,” he added.

In a statement, PTI Central Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid also condemned the attack, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was resorting to the worst kind of revenge politics. “The imported government is showing extreme brutality against its opponents. The Punjab Police has crossed all limits of oppression and injustice at the behest of the government.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party senior leader and Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan condemned the raid on the house of the former Punjab CM.

While talking to the media, he said that launching raids on the residence of leaders of a specific party like that of Elahi would make political matters worse.

He averred that a negative tradition of oppression and new ways of fascism seen during the raid at Elahi's residence were being introduced, adding that this incident must be taken seriously as barbarism had caused massive loss to the government and its allies.

He also stated that it seemed like the government was trying to derail negotiations while efforts were also being made to influence the courts in the crucial matter of holding Punjab and K-P elections within 90 days of dissolution of the two provincial assemblies. “The Supreme Court did not change its order and the elections will be held on May 14,” he added.

So far, the government and the PTI leaders held two rounds of talks and the third one was scheduled for Tuesday.

After months of political bickering, the ruling coalition and the PTI leaders sat across the table for talks on April 27 that had rekindled hopes for breaking the ongoing political and constitutional impasse in the country.

In the first formal interaction since the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence in April last year, leaders of the coalition parties and the PTI met at the Parliament House. Both the sides contemplated on developing a consensus on simultaneously holding general elections across the country.

The efforts to find common ground through dialogue continued on April 28 as not only the talks remained on track but the leaders of both sides refused to let their differences come in the way of forging a consensus on general elections.

During the discussions, the PTI sought an early date for the dissolution of the National Assembly as well as the remaining two provincial assemblies – Sindh and Balochistan –so that elections could be called on a single day in July this year.

The government side, however, said that the government should complete its constitutional term, adding that the elections could be held in August or September.

It had sought time for seeking an opinion of the allied parties’ leadership by Tuesday. Among other things, the PTI wants the government not to present the budget but the latter is insisting on it.

The PTI already dissolved the Punjab and K-P assemblies in January in an attempt to force the federal government to call early general elections in the country. However, the party hasn’t been able to achieve the desired result even after the 90-day constitutional limit of holding the elections lapsed and despite the Supreme Court’s intervention into the matter.

During the talks, the PTI team told the government side that the date of the polls in Punjab –ordered by the Supreme Court on May 14 – could be extended after the government gave the date of dissolution of the national as well as the two remaining provincial assemblies. However, the government hasn’t yet agreed to give a date for it. Both sides also talked about giving constitutional cover to the past and some future events as the 90-day constitutional period of holding elections in Punjab and K-P after the dissolution of assemblies had already passed.

At the talks, the government side comprised Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ayaz Sadiq, Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Yousaf Raza Gilani, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Kishwar Zehra and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema.

The PTI was represented by Vice Chairman Qureshi, Fawad and Senator Zafar. The next meeting of the two sides will be held on Tuesday at 11am at the Parliament House.

Express Tribune
 
Punjab polls can’t be held on 14th: ECP
Sources said the Commission had not placed an order for printing of the ballot papers, pictorial voters list and other items involving funding

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has made it unequivocally clear that the Punjab Assembly elections could not be held on May 14 as the scheduling of various actions and requirements couldn’t be placed now to meet the timeline.

The Commission has submitted three reports to the apex court on the matter but it hasn’t been summoned for any further hearing. The highest sources in the Commission confided to The News Monday evening that the postponement/cancelation of the election on the given date would be announced next week.

The Supreme Court’s three-member bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial —had last month ordered the Punjab Assembly election on May 14.

The sources said the Commission had not placed an order for printing of the ballot papers, pictorial voters list and other items involving funding. The retaining of the requisite staff and its training has yet to be made. The whole exercise involves a huge amount of money that isn’t available with the Election Commission, the sources said.

The News PK
 
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial observed on Tuesday that an independent judiciary was a main component of the Constitution.

He made the remarks as an eight-member larger bench of the Supreme Court heard a set of plea challenging a bill, which has since become an act of Parliament, seeking to curtail the powers of the CJP.

The bench comprised CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed.

The three petitions were filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution by Advocate Muhammad Shafay Mu*nir, Raja Amer Khan, Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain and others.
 
Polls only in Punjab not in Pakistan’s interest: PM

Prime Minis*ter Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said elections in the country will take place on the same day.

Speaking to reporters after meeting his brother, the party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, at Stanhope House, the premier said, “Elections will happen on one day. In Punjab in the past there was a wrong impression that it is the big brother of the provinces. All provinces are equal. Only doing an election in Punjab is not in Pakistan’s interest.”

Mr Shehbaz met his brother after attending the coronation ceremony of King Charles, where he also interacted with leaders of other Commonwealth nations.

He said, “Parliament’s constitutional rights will be protected, and parliament has one voice on this matter. There is no doubt that parliament within its limits will assert its authority”.

He hit out at ex-chief justice Saqib Nisar. “The former chief justice played a central role in disqualifying Mian Nawaz Sharif on baseless allegations. Day and night he would use suo motu, but was any case of his in the public interest? He was only doing it to make Imran Khan successful. He behaved not as the CJP but as an agent of PTI.”

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1751359/polls-only-in-punjab-not-in-pakistans-interest-pm
 
‘Nation standing with judges’: We’ll be on roads again after 14th, says Imran
PTI chairman says party workers will not rest till polls are held

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Saturday the entire nation was standing with the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and other judges of the apex court against the mafia putting pressure on the Supreme Court to run away from elections.

Addressing his party workers at the Lakshmi Chowk metro station here, Imran said: “It is the entire nation’s decision to stand with the Constitution and [against] the mafia which is putting pressure on [judges] and doing propaganda against the chief justice and other judges.”

The PTI chief led a rally in the provincial capital to “support the Constitution, Supreme Court, and the chief justice of Pakistan” and announced that his party would hold rallies every day till May 14 when elections to the Punjab Assembly were scheduled to be held on the Supreme Court orders. After May 14, he warned, his party would be on the roads again to secure its constitutional rights and elections to Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.

On Saturday, the PTI held rallies in four cities, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Peshawar. The PTI chairman said he would come out and prepare the public for protest if elections were not held. “When a country’s Constitution is violated, it means the justice system and rule of law have ended. Most of all, it means that the nation has lost its freedom and become a slave.

“We will not rest till elections are held and Pakistan is freed,” he added.

...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/10...dges-we-ll-be-on-roads-again-after-14th-imran
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is what they were saying when the SC verdict was disqualifying Yousaf Raza Gillani. Now they are openly violating Constitution & the SC verdict & shamelessly trying to divide the SC bench to avoid elections just as they did two decades ago with Sajjad Ali Shah. <a href="https://t.co/wi5ajspXyK">pic.twitter.com/wi5ajspXyK</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1655140845157269504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Sunday said that the judges of the Supreme Court could not “blink” their eyes if the Constitution mandated polls within 90 days of an assembly’s dissolution, adding that it was their duty to say that.

Last month, the Supreme Court — while hearing a PTI petition — had directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold general elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14. However, the government had rejected the apex court’s orders.
 
If this nation had it in them, it would’ve stood up against these PDM thugs by now to kick them out for good.

I guess those Sri Lankans were better than these Pakistanis who are divided into a couple groups - those who are crook to the core and support the haram khores of PDM.
And those two other groups - which cry about inflation and others that resort to empty slogans.


If Imran Khan exposed Bajwa as the traitor of the nation then Bajwa also exposed this toothless crowd that we call Pakistani nation.
 
Genuine question for PDM fans... Are you guys not embarrassed at seeing PDM being humiliated at every venue? All because they are too scared to do elections. If they have the people's support as you claim why not bring political stability back to the country and have mandate for 5 years?

Your allies China are saying political stability is necessary for development to your face. Your enemies India are saying you are a weak, unpopular government propped up by army who are you to mend relations. Your creditors IMF don't trust you and want nothing to do with you.

What are you waiting for? By now all perception of economic revival from PDM is gone. Every week I hear shehbaz or dar say the IMF deal is done and every week the economy sinks further in the hole.

I am getting second hand embarrassment on behalf of PDM. How dheet can one be? Please, have some shame and self respect...
 
Last edited:
Top court to take up ECP poll plea on 15th
Electoral watchdog did not hold Punjab election on May 14 despite SC order

All eyes will be on the Supreme Court on May 15 (Monday), as it will take up the Election Commission of Pakistan’s plea requesting the top court to revisit its order of holding Punjab Assembly elections on May 14.

A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar will hear the ECP’s plea.

On April 4, the same bench had quashed the ECP’s decision to extend the poll date from April 10 to Oct 8 and fixed May 14 as the new date for it.

The bench had also directed the government to release Rs21 billion funds for holding the elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

However, the ECP had apprised the court that the coalition government was reluctant to release the funds.

It contended that holding separate elections in Punjab and K-P would incur more expenses as compared to holding them on the same day.

On May 3, the ECP filed a plea asking the apex court to review its April 4 order.

Earlier during the month, the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf developed a consensus on conducting elections across the country on one day but failed to agree on a date for holding them.

The ECP in its review plea said that changing the election schedule was its domain under Section 58 of the Elections Act 2017.

“All provisions of the Constitution are required to be read together in harmony to make the provisions effective, workable and meaningful,” the plea stated.

...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2416569/top-court-to-take-up-ecp-poll-plea-on-15th
 
A showdown is expected between constitutional institutions next week as the Supreme Court is likely to take a final decision about holding polls for the Punjab Assembly amid a protest against its alleged partiality by the ruling parties on Monday.

It is learnt that despite clear orders of the Supreme Court, the parliament has not provided it the transcript of its debates on the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023.

However, the relevant standing committee's debate was available on the National Assembly website has been shared with the eight-judge bench hearing pleas against the piece of legislation.

A cabinet member revealed to The Express Tribune that NA Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf has already formed a committee of lawmakers to deliberate whether transcript of a parliamentary debate should be submitted in the SC.

The committee's report will be shared with the house which will take a final decision in this regard.

Last week, the eight-judge larger bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial asked Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan to share the transcript of the debates of the parliament by May 9.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government and powerful circle are upset over manner in which the SC came to the rescue of former premier Imran Khan after he was rounded up from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on the order of the top accountability watchdog on May 9.

Following the SC order, the head of the ruling parties’ alliance Mualana Fazlur Rehman announced a sit-in to be staged in front of the Supreme Court building on Monday.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will also take up the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) review petition tomorrow ( Monday) against the bench’s April 4 order for holding polls in Punjab on May 14.

“The SC can reverse its April 4 order but it may also initiate proceedings over its non-implementation of its April 4 order. However, the chances of the SC reversing its April 4 order are slim.

“If the court initiates contempt proceedings then the controversy over SC’s March 1 order will resurface. Contempt petition may also be filed over non issuance of the order of the court and non-implementation of 4-3 judgment in elections matter.”

Some senior lawyers said it is not easy to initiate contempt proceeding against the prime minister over not implementing the SC’s April 4 order as right now the SC is divided into two groups with eight judges on one side and seven on the other.

They said issue of Imran Khan’s arrest is mishandled by the powerful circles. There are several reasons for the IHC judges’ annoyance at the government and the establishment.

A senior lawyer said powerful circles should take care while dealing with judges.
“They should also learn a lesson from the Iftikhar Chaudhry episode when the entire judiciary united after the former CJP was mistreated,” he adds.

He said CJP Bandial should also take some steps to resolve the election issue through political dialogue.

“If the election issue is resolved through dialogue then political stability will be restored.

“However, if elections are held without settling the rules of games then there will be no political stability in the country and opposition parties will take to the streets.

“Currently, Imran Khan does not want dialogue with political parties. He is targeting everyone including the establishment because he is getting support from the judiciary in prevailing situation.”

A government official believes that things have reached a point where all stakeholders have little options. They all should show flexibility in their stances for the betterment of the country.

Former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar is also urging all stakeholders to address each other’s grievances through dialogue.

Talking to an international newspaper, he said the future remains uncertain as “Pakistani political drama shames The Game of Thrones with its constant twists and turns.

“However, this much can be said that a cornered Imran Khan was dangerous and now with his ego wounded by maltreatment, he might just turn into a monster.”

Lawyers are also divided over the ruling parties’ protest against the apex court.

The Independent Lawyers Group, which is pro-PTI, is standing with the SC led by CJP Bandial. The Independent Group, which is pro-government, is still silent on the development.

The PTI wants the SC to take some coercive steps against the establishment. Despite, facing severe criticism, CJP Bandial has not initiated contempt proceeding against anyone during his tenure.

Express Tribune
 
[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION]

Your right to vote has been taken away from you by your own party.

I guess Pakistan nationals have as much say as the overseas Pakistanis when it comes to elections.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION]

Your right to vote has been taken away from you by your own party.

I guess Pakistan nationals have as much say as the overseas Pakistanis when it comes to elections.
Click to expand...

bro, when voting comes we can actually vote. You cant.

Cynthia Richtie is more Pakistani than any overseas Pakistani.
 
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