ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court clarified that negotiations between ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to end political deadlock on general election's timeframe were initiated in volunteer capacity and that top court did not issue any direction in this regard. In three-page verdict of April 27 proceedings of Punjab election delay case, apex court said its April 4 verdict directing the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold Punjab elections on May 14 "remained unchanged".

"Court appreciates efforts of all parties to try to end current political impasse and in particular their voluntary agreement to enter into negotiations to choose single date for holding General Elections to National Assembly and four provincial assemblies," Read verdict issued by three-member bench led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.

Apex court also clarified that "negotiations between two sides were entirely to be their own effort, without any direction or order of Court in this regard in any manner". "It was also made clear that order of April 4, 2023 in Const. P.5 of 2023 remained unchanged,"  Meanwhile, three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench will hear petition today requesting top court to order that elections be held on same day across country.

Bench will be headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar. Petition filed by citizen Sardar Kashif Khan nominated federal government, Election Commission of Pakistan and major political parties as respondents. Petition states it would be "In interests of justice and equity as well as fulfilment of constitutional imperatives and balancing of competing constitutional requirements if general elections of National Assembly and all four provincial assemblies were held together rather than in piecemeal". If elections across country were held on same day, they would be done under caretaker setups which would "Ensure that general elections are carried out honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law". Armed forces and police would also only be required once instead of multiple times, allowing them to devote more time to their principal duties, it stated.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 05 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.