The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered authorities concerned to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 14, 2023. Announcing its judgment today, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan made it loud and clear that the earlier ruling of the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding the postponement of polls to the Punjab Assembly and KP was against the constitution.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has deemed the decision of the Election Commission unconstitutional. The verdict was given by a three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The decision was announced in Court Room 1 in the presence of coalition leaders, journalists, and lawyers. It’s worth noting that heavy security was deployed outside the apex court’s building, with a large contingent of police guarding the main entrance.
Bilawal warns of “Martial Law” as Pakistan’s Supreme Court reserve judgement
Analysts and legal experts have termed the statement of the Foreign minister of Pakistan very serious and asked the stakeholders to take it seriously. Analysts said the decision of the Supreme Court on the PTI’s petition against the ECP’s decision to postpone polls to the Punjab Assembly is a critical matter, and any decision made by the court will certainly be based on the principles of justice and fairness.
Three member bench of the Apex court reserved its judgment after hearing all the parties including the PTI. The bench headed by the chief justice, however, didn’t hear the representation of the coalition government following their reservation and had no confidence in the bench.
The coalition government had requested the chief justice of Pakistan to form a full bench to hear the petition which was not accepted. This move prompted the coalition government to boycott the hearing of the case.
It is important to note that the concerns expressed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari regarding the possibility of a constitutional crisis leading to martial law or an emergency-like situation in Pakistan are serious and must be taken seriously. The decision of the Supreme Court on the PTI’s petition against the ECP’s decision to postpone polls to the Punjab Assembly is a critical matter, and any decision made by the court must be based on the principles of justice and fairness.
Experts on the subject matter said It is also important for all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and democratic processes, and to work towards a peaceful resolution of any disputes or conflicts. It is encouraging to hear that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for everyone to “come back to their senses” and work towards a peaceful resolution of the matter.
“ I cannot comment on the specifics of the case or predict the outcome of the Supreme Court’s verdict. It is important to wait for the official decision of the court before making any definitive conclusions. However, I can say that it is crucial for all parties involved to remain calm and work towards a peaceful resolution of the matter while respecting the principles of democracy, rule of law, and constitutional order,” a legal expert told The Islamabad Telegraph.
“ I understand your concern about the statement made by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari regarding the possibility of a constitutional crisis leading to martial law or an emergency-like situation in Pakistan. It is important to note that Pakistan has a history of political instability and military interventions, and any potential threat to the democratic process and constitutional order must be taken seriously,” he added.
The majority of legal experts this correspondent spoke to, said this is a statement made by a political figure, and there may be different opinions and perspectives on the matter. It is also important to wait for further developments and official statements from relevant authorities before making any definitive conclusions.
In any case, it is important for all parties involved to respect the constitutional process and the rule of law and to work toward a peaceful resolution of any disputes or conflicts that may arise.
