Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to implement the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) orders on general elections in Punjab.
The top court issued the directives while hearing a petition filed by the former lawmakers of the Punjab Assembly that were de-seated for not towing the party lines. The plea was dismissed as the petitioner informed the bench that it was inadmissible following the dissolution of the assembly.
At the outset of the hearing, CJP Umar Ata Bandial observed that the issue of restoring the dissident lawmakers was over as the assembly had been dissolved.
The CJP then asked the ECP what it was doing on the directives issued by the high court to give a date for the elections.
On February 10, the LHC ordered the ECP to ensure that elections in Punjab will be held within 90 days.
Announcing the reserved verdict, Justice Jawad Hassan accepted the PTI plea and asked the electoral body to stage the polls within the constitutional limit.
The PTI had moved the high court requesting the court to direct the election commission issue the dates for the elections in Punjab.
During the hearing, Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr Usman Anwar and the chief secretary appeared before the court.
Punjab’s top cop and bureaucrat assured the court that they will follow whatever the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decides. The chief secretary also said that they would follow through on the court’s order.
On January 14, 2023, pursuant to the advice of the then chief minister in accordance with terms of Article 112(1) of the Constitution, the assembly stood dissolved.
He contended that subsequently, the speaker of the Punjab Assembly through a letter on January 20, 2023 requested the respondent to fulfil his constitutional duties and immediately appoint a date for elections not later than 90 days from the date of the dissolution of the legislature as required by Article 105 (3)(1)(a) read with Article 224 of the Constitution.