ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Fawad Chaudhry moved Supreme Court against Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa caretaker governments, stating that elections in 90 days were constitutional requirement.

Former Information Minister filed petition under Article 184(3) of Constitution, which sets out apex court’s original jurisdiction and empowers it to take notice of matters involving question of “Public importance” with reference to “Enforcement of any of fundamental rights” of people.

According to plea, filed through Advocate Khawaja Tariq Rahim, federal government refused to release funds of Rs 21 billion for elections in Punjab and KP, despite orders from SC. It maintained that lack of disbursement was “Violation of Constitution”.

Petition furthered that Constitution mandated elections within 90 days and barred extension of tenure of caretaker governments. It requested top court to issue orders for fair and transparent elections under Articles 184(3) and 187 of Constitution.

It furthered that caretaker Chief Ministers for both Punjab and KP should be directed to resign immediately and restrained from exercising powers.

Petition added that affairs of two provinces should be run under supervision of SC on day-to-day basis until fresh elections are held and new governments take over. Fawad attached notification of caretaker Chief Ministers’ appointments with application.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 27 2023

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