The Punjab elections funding case was heard in the Supreme Court during which the court directed political leaders to start negotiation process. The apex court wanted to hear the result of negotiations by 4 pm today. However, the PTI and federal coalition have not briefed the court about the outcome of their discussion. The court started the hearing procedure on April 19.
Hearing of Punjab Elections Funding Case on April 20, 2023
During the hearing, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial clearly stated that the court would not withdraw its decision to hold Punjab elections on May 14. He said that no one has challenged the decision and court directives could not be ignored. Chief Justice further added that it’s not an easy task to revoke a decision as there is a certain procedure to follow. He pointed out that to carry out the procedure there was a 30-day window which has passed.
Chief justice in his remarks said that all political leadership including defence ministry, Pakistan Peoples Party, PML-N and others have demanded to hold simultaneous elections across Pakistan.
Lawyer Farooq H. Naik said that elections should be held across the country through caretaker government. He added that political matters should be settled between the parties without involvement of any organisation.
Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique had a similar stance and said that the elections should be held at the same timeline across the country and he is fully prepared to negotiate on the elections.
Qamar Zaman Kaira represented PPP and said the political forces had to sit down and find a solution to the ongoing crisis. PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that elections are the only constitutional and democratic solution. Shah Mahmood Qureshi added that the PML-N leadership dissolve the assemblies. Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Siraj-ul-Haq said it would be appropriate to hold elections on a suitable date after Eid-Ul-Azha.
