- The latest reports say that Barrister Ali Zafar will prepare a petition and will filed in the top court today.
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Friday (today) against Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone general elections in Punjab from April 30 to October 8.
“No other option instead of holding elections on April 30,” said PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhary while making announcement to challenge the ECP’s verdict during a joint press conference with party’s Secretary General Asad Umar.
The PTI’s reaction came a day after the ECP announced postponement of the upcoming elections in Punjab—the country’s largest province of the country, citing security reasons behind its decision.
President Dr. Arif Alvi in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict had set April 30 as the date for general elections in Punjab.
During the press conference, Fawad Chaudhary said that the parliament’s joint sitting on Wednesday was held to attack the “apex court”.
The joint session of the parliament was conducted on Wednesday instead of 10th of the next month to make important decision in a bid to implement the authority of the state. National Assembly speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf excited his powers under Joint Sitting Rules 1973 and had changed the schedule of the joint session of the parliament.
“Pressure is being put on the judges,” said Fawad Chaudhary, pointing out that the judges are also being blackmailed.
The PTI leader also expressed solidarity with the apex court and its judges , adding that there were millions of people who were with the top judges and other judges of the apex court.
He also appealed to the SC judges and said that it was their duty to protect the Constitution. Fawad also made it clear that they were ready for talks on the elections.
He targeted the coalition government, saying that it is the civilian government which tried to subvert the Constitution for the first time in the country’s history. The former Information Minister said that the whole nation demanded action against five members of the electoral watchdog under Article 6.
PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said that the ECP’s decision was clear violation of the Supreme Court’s verdict regarding holding elections in Punjab. He demanded that the Punjab elections should be held on April 30, pointing out that the ECP did not have powers to change the election date in light of the judgments of the higher courts.
“We will not allow violation of the Constitution,” said Asad Umar, hoping that the top court would also take up their plea against KP Governor Ghulam Ali.
