Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif Stands Firm on holding same-day Elections across the country.
Premier Shehbaz, while speaking to the media in London after meeting with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, stated that legislation was the right of the Parliament, and all institutions should operate within the limits prescribed by the constitution.
Also Read: Sit together for the Sake of Constitution, says Chief Justice Umar ata Bandial
Premier Shehbaz Sharif said the whole nation agreed on the same day election and added betterment of people and country meant that the system should be run according to the constitution.
The premier said Nawaz Sharif is confident and will soon return to Pakistan.
Remember that Nawaz Sharif younger brother Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently in London to represent Pakistan at the coronation ceremony of King Charles-III. During his visit to UK, he will also participate in a conference of joint leaders of the Commonwealth, where he will also meet with other world leaders.
Earlier Upper house of Pakistan (Senate) passed a resolution to hold Same Day Elections in the National and four Provincial Assemblies.
The resolution was approved by the majority vote in the upper house of the parliament.
National Party Senator Tahir Bizenjo moved the resolution, saying that if the Punjab elections were held now they would cast negative impact on all others provincial Assemblies.
During a recent Joint session, it was debated that simultaneous general elections for all assemblies were crucial for country to achieving political and economic stability in Pakistan. The resolution moved by National Party Senator Tahir Bazenjo urging that conducting separate elections in Punjab would unfairly influence the results of the general elections, which would be a disservice to the smaller provinces
“The federal will be more powerful if the elections of the National Assembly and all four provinces are held on the same day,” said the Senator.
Senator Mushtaq, however, said that all the assemblies should be dissolved and general elections should be announced across the country.
He said that delay in elections was not allowed under the Constitution.
“Holding elections within 90 days is mandatory under the Constitution. So follow the law. Dissolve all the assemblies and hold elections the same day,” said Senator Mushtaq.
After the debate, The resolution was passed with a majority meanwhile opposition leaders protested against the approval of the resolution and chanted slogans against the government. The Opposition Parties leaders gathered in front of the dice of the Senate Chairman and showed strong reaction.
Remember that, Supreme Court in its verdict, ordered the finance ministry to release Rupees 21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan for the Punjab election.
Supreme Court Verdict
On 5th April Supreme court three-member bench heading by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — announced the reserved verdict on the PTI’s petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order postponing the elections in Punjab and KP.
The Supreme Court declared the ECP’s order postponing the provincial assembly elections until October 8 as “unconstitutional” and ordered the government to release Rs21 billion funds for elections in Punjab by April 10.
The top court also directed to conduct Punjab polls on May 14. Supreme Court also directed Pak Army to provide security for the upcoming elections and also orders to ECP to hold elections by 14th March.
However, the National Assembly later passed a resolution rejecting the three-member Supreme Court bench’s verdict on the Punjab polls, stating that it would not provide funds to the ECP for polls.
The electoral watch dog informed the Top court that it had not received the required funds from the ministry after which the three-member bench directed the State bank to release funds “directly”.
Earlier in Federal Meeting The deputy governor SBP Seema Kamil said they have allocated Rs.21 billion for the Punjab elections as per the Supreme Court’s ruling, but the central bank does not has the authority to release the funds directly.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus Pasha emphasised that the SBP cannot spend money without the permission of the parliament.
“If the National Assembly allows funds can be released [to the ECP],” she said, clarifying that even the Finance Division cannot spend without seeking permission from the cabinet and the lower house.
