ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought the schedule of local body elections in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan from the Election Commission. During the hearing, Justice Qazi Faiz remarked that democracy does not seem to be a priority anymore.
On that, the Chief Election Commissioner said that the move by the Punjab government to dissolve the local bodies was unconstitutional.
Justice Qazi Faiz Issa asked why local body elections are not being held. Why the people are being deprived of democracy? The court order is being violated by not holding local body elections. Did the Chief Election Commissioner and members not see their oath? The court wants everyone to fulfill their constitutional responsibility.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that the move by the Punjab government to dissolve the local bodies was unconstitutional. On this, Justice Qazi Faiz Issa inquired what action was taken against the unconstitutional move against the Punjab government.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that the Punjab government has enacted a new local body law. He said that if there is a name of a province in the constitution, then they should take the full name. You are a constitutional official, why don’t you take the name of the province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa? Do not spread hatred among the people of the province.
The Chief Election Commissioner informed the court that local body elections will be held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 8. Justice Qazi Faiz Issa said that if this court orders you not to hold elections, then you should not obey our order. He said local bodies are nurseries for future leadership. Referring to Article 6, Justice Faiz Issa said that those who were obstructing the implementation of the Constitution were committing serious treason.
However, it seems that the ECP is taking instructions from somewhere else than the Constitution. If you cannot hold elections, then resign (from this post).
Justice Maqbool Baqir said that there has been a lot of oppression on the nation, there should be no more, if you do not give powers to the people at the grassroots level, how will it work? There is a dangerous situation in the country.
Furthermore, the court adjourned the hearing till February 4, seeking a report from the Election Commission on the local body elections.
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