ISLAMABAD (Republic policy) – Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the political parties – both in power and opposition – to sit together to work out the date for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shah and Justice Mandokhail issued the directives while hearing the suo motu case taken to determine who has the authority to announce a date for the elections.
The apex court directed PTI leaders Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry to consult with party chairman Imran Khan, and the legal team of the ruling coalition to consult with their leaders on the election date.
The latest directive was issued after the three ruling parties – PML-N, PPP and JUI-F – withdrew the plea seeking the formation of the full bench to hear the suo motu case following the recusal of four judges from the court. While exiting the petition, Farooq H Naek said the ruling partners did not want to pursue the plea.
Justice Mansoor remarked the political parties should think about the country instead of indulging in the legal battle.
Previously, the case was being heard by the nine-member bench. Still, it split Monday into a five-judge bar after four judges – Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah – recused themselves from hearing the case.
