Punjab election: CJP Bandial stresses talks as political turmoil worsens

ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Monday once against asked the ruling coalition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to reengage in dialogue to find a solution of prevailing political turmoil that has suffered blows to already shaky economy of the country.

The chief justice emphasised on the talks as a three-member bench, headed by him and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar heard a review petition filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan against the SC’s April 4 order of conducting elections in Punjab on May 14.

On April 4, the bench had ordered the ECP to hold elections in Punjab on May 14, declaring the postponement of polls by the election authority illegal.

ECP then filed a review petition in court, urging Supreme Court to review its decision maintaining that the court does not have the authority to announce elections date. The electoral watchdog accused the apex court of disregarding its constitutional jurisdiction, saying ‘intervention by the court is necessitated to correct an error which has effectively changed the settled constitutional jurisprudence of the country’.

During today’s hearing which coincides with PDM protest against the judiciary for allegedly favouring PTI Chief Imran Khan, PTI lawyer Ali Zafar pleaded the court to issue an order for implementation of its orders regard elections in Punjab.

At which, CJP Bandial said he wanted to hear the arguments of the ECP regarding admissibility of the petition filed by it against the apex court’s April 4 ruling. However, he maintained that the court orders for holding election in Punjab on May 14 to remain in place without any change.

Later, the chief justice issued notices to attorney general for Pakistan and advocate generals of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asking the parties to submit arguments on the admissibility of the plea.

After issuing notices, the SC bench adjourned the hearing till next Tuesday.