ISLAMABAD: A three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench on Tuesday began hearing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s plea to revisit an earlier order for holding the general election in Punjab on 14 May.
During the last hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial had expressed the hope that negotiations between the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf could end the stalemate on holding polls in the largest populated province.
The top judge had insisted that the process for dialogue — which previously failed — be initiated again.
During the court hearing, the PTI’s lawyer lamented that the party’s negotiation committee members were under arrest.
Today’s hearing is being heard by CJP Bandial and Justices Munib Akhtar and Ijazul Ahsan — the same bench had issued the order for holding elections in Punjab on May 14.
At the outset of the hearing, Sajeel Swati, the ECP counsel, said the central and Punjab governments had submitted their replies in the case, which the electoral watchdog has obtained (today).
“I think the PTI hasn’t submitted its response yet,” the CJP said. To which, Swati said that ECP did not receive a reply from the PTI or any other political party.
“Please allow us to review all the responses,” the ECP lawyer requested the court. Chief Justice Bandial asked Sajeel Swati to present her arguments in the case.
“If you want to raise any new point in the next hearing, you can do it,” the top judge remarked, asking about the latest grounds that could be taken in the review petition.
