ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has chaired a meeting to discuss the Supreme Court’s offer for immediate talks on the upcoming election date.
The court had directed all political parties to sit together and reach a consensus on the date, updating the bench by 4 pm on Thursday.
The meeting, which included federal ministers and legal experts, was briefed on the ongoing undertrial case in the Supreme Court.
Leaders from various political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), MQM-P, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and others appeared before the court in an effort to reach a consensus and end the dispute over the election date.
PPP and PML-N assured the court that they would sit with PTI and try to find a solution.
During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial remarked that court verdicts could create complications and urged political parties to settle the matter through mutual understanding.
He also made it clear that the date for the election in Punjab is May 14, and the court will not reconsider its decision as no one has challenged it.
The meeting chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif is seen as a significant step towards resolving the dispute and ensuring a smooth electoral process. The issue of the election date has been a contentious one, with opposition parties accusing the ruling PTI of trying to delay the vote to remain in power.
Supreme Court directs political parties to evolve consensus on election date
Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed various political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to sit together and update the court by 4 pm on a consensus regarding the election date.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, is hearing the election delay case.
During the hearing, the PPP and PML-N assured the court that they would hold talks with the PTI to try and find a solution on the election date.
The CJP suggested that elections could be held in July after Eid Ul Azha, as suggested by the JI chief. The court adjourned the hearing till 4 pm and gave time to the political leaders for consultation with their respective leadership.
The case stems from the Supreme Court’s April 4 order, which declared the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to postpone elections to the Punjab Assembly till October 8 “unconstitutional” and fixed May 14 as the new date.
