ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has made it clear that the Supreme Court would not “sit idle” on its order concerning holding elections in Punjab on May 14 if the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) fail to reach a consensus.
During Friday’s hearing, heading a three-member bench, which resumed hearing on the Punjab poll delay case, the chief justice said that the government and the PTI could hold talks if they were interested but the court will see if both sides agree on a date for elections in Punjab.
The top judge said upholding the law and the Constitution was the Supreme Court’s main responsibility.
After hearing the case for two hours, the proceeding was adjourned, with the chief justice stating that an appropriate order would be issued.
During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan, PPP counsel Farooq Naek, PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PML-N’s Khawaja Saad Rafique and others appeared in the court.
At the beginning of the hearing, the PPP counsel read out the coalition government’s report on talks with the PTI, which was earlier submitted to the court on behalf of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
In the report, the government claimed that a “breakthrough” had been achieved during the dialogue.
The chief justice said that the Supreme Court has left political matters for politicians to settle.
The chief justice emphasised that the Constitution mandated conducting elections within 90 days of the dissolution of assemblies. He emphasised that the top court has already issued a verdict on holding elections within 90 days.
CJP Bandial further observed that the Supreme Court would not sit idle on its verdict for the May 14 polls if the talks between the political parties failed.
He also observed that the Constitution binds the court to implement its verdict.
The hearing was then adjourned.
