ISLAMABAD – Former ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision for delaying the date for general elections in Punjab.
The development comes as the country’s electoral watchdog announced delaying the upcoming elections in Punjab from April 30 to October 8 in wake of security reasons, in contrary to Supreme Court’s ruling in this regard.
Senior PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar hold a presser announcing their next move, saying they will be moving the apex court against the ECP over the Constitution breach.
Chaudhry said currently the government has no other options but to hold elections on April 30, seeking the court’s order for holding elections in the province as originally announced.
PTI leader termed the joint sitting of parliament an attack on the country’s judiciary, and mentioned that judges of top courts are being blackmailed in the guise of new gambit.
The leaders further maintained that a huge number of people stand with the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court, calling it a national duty to save the Constitution.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the country’s top court as Chief Justice has reiterated that the Supreme Court would interfere in case if elections were delayed; the court also invoked suo motu jurisdiction to hold general elections of both provincial assemblies within 90 days.
Punjab Assembly elections postponed till October 8
On Wednesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday postponed the Punjab Assembly elections until October 8.
In the notification, the electoral watchdog maintained that Punjab Assembly elections will now be held on October 8, and a new schedule will be issued for the polls.
ECP said under the circumstances conveyed by the Law Enforcement Agencies, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and Chief Secretary Punjab, the Commission convened meetings to deliberate extensively on the matter of General Elections in Punjab.
