pakistan

SC expresses anger as 90-day time for elections in Punjab, KP running out

Published

7 months ago

February 17, 2023

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SC expresses anger as 90-day time for elections in Punjab, KP running out

The Supreme Court has remarked it is unable to understand what is being done by the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhunkhwas as the 90-day time period is running out.

In January, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) dissolved the two provincial assemblies and the ECP, as per the Election Act 2017 and Constitution, is supposed to hold elections within 90 days of the dissolution. But uncertainty continues to hang on elections as the ECP and governors of the provinces are not announcing a date for elections. Several cases are being heard by the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the top court against the ECP for not announcing a schedule for elections in the provinces.

During the hearing of a case regarding transfer of Lahore CCPO Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, Justice Munib Akhtar said the sole responsibility of the ECP was to hold elections but it was seeking more time to perform its duty.

At one point, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association pleaded the top court to issue an order on its petition seeking intervention for the electoral schedule. However, Justice Ijazul Ahsan rejected the request, saying a two-member bench had already sent the matter to Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial. He added that it was the prerogative of the chief justice to form a bench to hear the case.

A day earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja had told the top court that he was being prevented from exercising his powers and fulfilling constitutional requirements for holding transparent elections. He also explained the impediments to holding elections when Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked that elections, as per the Constitution, should be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies.

Justice Ahsan remarked it was a violation of the Constitution if elections were not held in 90 days, adding that the ECP was responsible for holding transparent elections.

The chief election commissioner lamented that the army had excused itself from providing security while judiciary was not ready to provide returning officers (ROs). “When funds were sought for elections, we were declined,” he said. Mr Raja also highlighted that it would be a violation of the Constitution if election date was announced by the ECP chief.

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pakistan

Election date will alleviate uncertainty: Kaira

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2023

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Election date will alleviate uncertainty: Kaira

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira emphasised that providing a specific date by the Election Commission for general elections would help alleviate the prevailing uncertainty.

Kaira reiterated that the PPP firmly upholds its constitutional mandate to hold elections and believes it is essential for stability.

Furthermore, he clarified that the issue of a level playing field is distinct from this matter and should be addressed separately.

It is to be recalled that PPP co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had earlier requested the Election Commission (ECP) to announce a date for polls in the country.

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pakistan

Solangi for eliminating extremism, prejudices from society

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2023

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Solangi for eliminating extremism, prejudices from society

Federal Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said Thursday that the elimination of extremism and all types of prejudices was not only part of Islamic religious norms and Islamic history, but it was also a cornerstone of the Pakistan ideology.

In his speech at a peace festival here, the minister said that the National Counter-Terrorism Authority had taken important steps to eliminate extremism and terrorism from society.

Solangi said that extremism was one of the elements that destroyed peace and violence which bred terrorism.

The minister said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had highlighted the rights of minorities in his speech of August 11, 1947. He said that Islam also taught kindness to humanity, irrespective of caste and creed.

Solangi said that anti-peace forces wanted to weaken the power of Pakistan by targeting minorities as diversity was Pakistan’s strength. “All the people of the state of Pakistan enjoyed equal rights.”

The minister said the promotion and protection of minorities’ rights on the principle of equality was a major weapon against extremism. He said that time had come to eliminate all types of prejudices from society, as it was one aspect of the ideology of the creation of Pakistan.

The minister also recalled that 22 years ago in 2001, the United Nations had announced to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 every year. In 2023, he added, 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would also be marked which was an important milestone in itself.

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pakistan

Captain Safdar acquitted of sedition, MPO violation charges

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2023

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Captain Safdar acquitted of sedition, MPO violation charges

A district court on Thursday acquitted Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar, the son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in two cases involving charges of sedition, criminal intimidation and violation of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

Judicial Magistrate Bilal Muneer Warraich pronounced the judgment which had been reserved on the previous hearing.

Advocates Farhad Ali Shah and Haroon Bhutta appeared before the court on behalf of their client Captain (r) Safdar.

Two FIRs had been registered with the Islampura police station against Safdar under different charges, including the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and 124-A & 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

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