ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that if Supreme Court does not make prudent decision regarding Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponing polls in Punjab, then economic and political stability of country will be impacted. In series of tweets, he furthered that an unwise decision from apex court would cause anarchy, chaos and riots across country. He said that there are different opinions regarding election and that Parliament had authority to guide government and institutions. Sana added that incumbent government wanted to proceed according to Constitution.

He stated that on orders from SC, electoral watchdog gave election schedule and government had initiated process under those directives. Sana maintained that government could “Not even think” of revoking top court’s orders. Sana added that there will be no level playing field in National Assembly elections in presence of ruling government after provincial elections, adding that questions would be raised on conduct of fair and transparent elections. He said that it would be better for country if elections of all assemblies were transparent, fair and conducted at same time in presence of caretaker governments. His statement comes as all eyes are set on Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial in wake of ECP’s surprising volte-face to postpone Punjab elections, originally scheduled for April 30, till October 8.

CJP Bandial who has already made it clear that Supreme Court would interfere in case polls were delayed had earlier invoked suo motu jurisdiction to hold general elections of both provincial assemblies within 90 days.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 24 2023

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