The former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced to start election campaign next week after the Supreme Court (SC) verdict of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to be held within 90 days.
While Addressing a press conference via video link, the PTI Chief said that he would address the public gathering during the election campaign, saying that he would announce the PTI’s next plan of action on Saturday.
Imran Khan welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to be held within 90 days, saying that the court has fulfilled its responsibility to uphold the Constitution through their judgment today.
Supreme Court Verdict
The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan in its verdict ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within 90 days.
The supreme court verdict stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan failed in discharging its role in the election. The announcement of the election date in KP is the responsibility of the provincial governor, while the president has the authority as per law and constitution to fix the election date in Punjab.
The verdict said the announcement of the election in KP by the president was ‘not right’, while he enjoys the right to announce the election date in Punjab, as the provincial assembly was dissolved after 48 hours as the government refused to agree on CM’s advise.
The verdict further stated a consultation to fix the date of elections in Punjab, if they are not possible on 9th April, the date announced by the president. “Article 254 of the constitution will be enforced if the elections are not held within the stipulated time,” the verdict said.
President announces Election Date
It is pertinent to mention here that President Dr. Arif Alvi announced April 9 as the date for holding general elections for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies. They announced the date under section 57(2) of the constitution.
The moves come after Chief Election Commission decided against attending the meeting called by President Arif Alvi to discuss the dates for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
