President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday reached Lahore to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan at Zaman Park.
According to reports, a meeting between President and PTI Chairman is currently underway at Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence.
Also Read: Governor House receives ECP letter for the issuance of Polls Date in KPK
Matters including the country’s overall political situation, elections in Punjab on 30th April 30, and General elections came under discussion in a meeting.
Earlier President Arif Alvi announced 30th April 2023 as the date for the General polls in Punjab, after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) proposed dates for the election in the province as directed by the Supreme Court (SC).
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) last week proposed dates for the election in Punjab after the Supreme Court directs ECP to issue the Election dates for Punjab and KPK Assembly.
In its letter to President Arif Alvi, the ECP recommended that the polls for the provincial assembly in Punjab can be held between 30th April to 07th May 2023.
Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned a meeting to review arrangements for the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It is pertinent here that The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recently ordered ECP to hold the elections in Punjab and KP within 90 days as per the constitution of Pakistan.
Supreme Court Suo Motu
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.
