SC will announce verdict at 11am tomorrow in Punjab, KP polls case

• Political parties asked to develop concensus on poll date
• CJP says election date cannot extended beyong 90 days
• President has power to announce election date: lawyer

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) will announce the reserved  verdict at 11am tomorrow. However earlier, it said that it would announce the verdict in the election date suo motu notice later today (Tuesday).

Earlier, the SC directed the political parties to announce elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in consultation.

A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shah and Justice Mandokhail heard the case.

The SC said that even if the court decide on the matter, the litigation will continue which is not in favour of the people and the political parties.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice said that no constitutional body can extend the period of elections except the court.

“The court can order only after examining the reasons,” he added.

The CJ also said that if the elections are not held on time then there won’t be any stability in the country. “The court is not raising any questions on the intentions of the government.”

The court then adjourned the case till 4pm.

Earlier during the hearing today, the apex court raised a question that if the advice never comes, will there ever be elections or not in the country adding that the parliament which is into making of the Constitution has given the powers to the President.

“The Article 57 of the Constitution regarding the powers of the President is very clear,” added the court.

President SC Bar Abid Zuberi said that the deadline of 90 days cannot be exceeded for the elections.

“If the election advice is not received, the President can consult with the Election Commission.”

Meanwhile, the Attorney General of Pakistan maintained that the President can give the date of the election only after the dissolution of the National Assembly.

“Otherwise, the President can give the date only if there are elections across the country,” he added.

However, the attorney general also said that the elections must take place within 90 days. The hearing was then adjourned for a short time to be resumed soon.

Pertinently, Supreme Court has taken sou motu notice of the delay in Punjab and KP elections and a verdict in this regard is expected today.

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