Shehbaz expresses concern over top court’s decision; Orders audit of SC, other institutions
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that the government will table another resolution in the National Assembly following the verdict.
The statement comes just a day after the apex court declared as “unconstitutional” the ECP’s earlier decision to postpone elections in Punjab, in a blow to the government that has been trying to delay provincial elections citing security issues and the economic crisis.
Addressing a meeting of the leaders of all coalition parties on Wednesday, the prime minister referred to the decision by the Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, saying a mockery was being made with the Constitution and law and that the fate of the nation was being decided with strange decisions.
He said that the three-member bench had not only rejected the appeal for constitution of a full bench to hear the case but also dismissed pleas by other political parties.
“How a decision of another bench was neglected while members of the three-judge bench who had earlier recused themselves and again joined it?” he questioned.
He said that a circular was issued over Justice Isa’s directive, followed by formation of a six-member bench that took up the issue and decided it, he added.
The premier also noted the directive of the three-member bench on holding elections in Punjab province and observations on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa election.
The prime minister elaborated that last week, a detailed meeting was held with leaders of the ruling coalition’s parties, followed by two cabinet meetings and parliamentary meetings over the evolving situation.
The prime minister said that purpose behind holding of the meeting of coalition parties was to mull over the situation and evolve a solid response.
He said that the ongoing session of the lower house of the Parliament had debated the issue and a resolution had already been passed earlier, adding that another resolution would be tabled in the house today (Thursday).