ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial remarked on Friday that the Supreme Court would implement its verdict for holding elections in Punjab on May 14 if the government and the PTI to reach a consensus on polls date.
The top judge gave the remarks as three-member bench comprising himself, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan resumed hearing on petitions seeking holding elections across the country simultaneously following the talks between the both sides.
The PTI submitted its report on negotiations to the apex court on Tuesday, asking the SC to implement its ruling for holding polls on May 14 as there was no consensus on a date.
The government submitted its report today, stating that a breakthrough happened in talks as both sides agreed to hold elections on provincial and national assembly seats simultaneously. However, it sought more time for talks with PTI to decide a date.
During today’s hearing, CJP Bandial said that the government and the PTI could continue the negotiations if they are interests but also showed his displeasure over lack of seriousness in talks.
He also said that the top court only had to see if both sides could agree on a date for polls elections, adding that upholding the law and Constitution was the main responsibility of the court.
At one point, he observed that the court would not sit idle on its ruling for polls in Punjab on May 14 if the negotiating parties failed to make a headway.
He also highlighted that the Constitution bind the court to ensure the implementation of its verdict. After two-hour long proceedings, the CJP adjourned the hearing with remarks that an appropriate order will be issued.
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan, PPP lawyer Farooq H. Naek, PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PML-N’s Khawaja Saad Rafique and others attended the hearing of the petitions.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held multiple rounds of talks on the directives of the Supreme Court to try and build a consensus on a date for the elections. Both sides agreed to hold elections on the same day across the country but failed to evolve consensus on the date of the polls.
Two days ago, the Imran Khan-led PTI submitted a report to the Supreme Court on negotiations with the PDM government, requesting the top court to ensure implementation on its April 4 judgement regarding holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14.
In the report, the PTI — the main opposition party — apprised the apex court of progress on negotiations, saying it held three rounds of talks with the team of ruling PDM, an alliance of 13 political parties, in line with the commitment made to the top court in the Punjab elections delay case.
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