Constitutional Violation
In a fiery speech at the Lawyers Convention organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), President Abid Zuberi stated that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja should face charges under Article 6 of the Constitution for violating the top court’s order and the Constitution.
He criticized the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for failing to implement the Supreme Court’s order, which called for holding elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies within 90 days following their dissolution.
The Supreme Court had issued this directive on March 1, but the ECP postponed the Punjab elections, citing security concerns. Zuberi expressed his dismay at the ECP’s actions, accusing it of Constitutional violation and violating the Supreme Court’s order.
He also announced that the SCBA would challenge recent amendments to the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act in the Supreme Court.
Aitzaz Ahsan Refers to CEC as a ‘Facilitator’ in the Election Delay
In a fresh criticism of the CEC, veteran lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan accused Raja of facilitating and violating the Constitution by delaying general elections.
Last month, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) approved the results of the 2023 digital census, raising doubts about timely general elections. Then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting to decide the census’s fate.
Addressing the lawyers’ convention via a video link, Ahsan stated, “The CEC has become a facilitator for not holding elections on time. He is a violator of the Constitution.”
Furthermore, emphasizing the need for timely general elections, the prominent lawyer criticized the fresh delimitation as “delaying tactics.”
Ahsan pointed out that the caretaker setup lacks the authority to make administrative decisions. He urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to make decisions on military courts before his retirement.
Sardar Latif Khosa said that ”There is no rule of law in the country. Authorities are not obeying court verdicts,” he exclaimed, questioning whether everyone had turned a blind eye to what is happening in the country.
Khosa warned the people, “If you don’t raise your voice for your rights today, then your destiny is slavery.”
Lawyers Demand General Elections Within 90 Days
The All-Pakistan Lawyers Convention demanded that the next general elections be held within 90 days in the country.
The demand came after reports emerged that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is in no rush to announce the schedule of the general elections in the country, as the regular meetings are more focused on completing the process of constituency delimitation in an error-free manner.
According to a declaration issued after the conclusion of the lawyers’ moot organized by the SCBA, it stated: “No caretaker government can go beyond 90 days.”
The declaration emphasized upon the importance of civilian supremacy, adherence to the constitution, the rule of law, and the independence and integrity of our constitutional institutions as fundamental pillars of our democracy.
