ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on suo motu notice, regarding a delay in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) elections, to Monday.
Today’s hearing
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawyer Farooq H Naek objected to the presence of Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ijazul Ahsan on the bench.
The JUI-F, PML-N, and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) also raised the same concern.
The CJP clarified that he wanted all stakeholders to attend the hearing today. However, the concerns of everyone will be heard on Monday.
The apex court has postponed the hearing until 11:30 am on Monday.
CJP takes suo motu notice
CJP noticed delays in polls in both provinces.
The apex court bench referred the matter to him. CJP Bandial issued a notice. The bench will consider the following questions:
- Who is responsible for setting the date of a provincial election after its dissolution as per the Constitution?
- When will this constitutional duty be fulfilled and how?
- What are the duties of the federation and province for the election?
SC Resumes Hearing On Suo Motu
The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial issued a suo moto notice and proceedings began on Thursday at 2 pm. The case continued today.
The 9-member bench will be headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, comprising Justices Ijazul Ahsan, Mansoor Ali Shah, Muneeb Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Jamal Mandokhel, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Athar Minallah.
The federal government, attorney general, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), advocates general of the four provinces, and the advocate general of the Islamabad Capital Territory received notices from the court to submit their response in this case.
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