Tag: KP

  • ‘Mera bhi dil hai’, Chief Justice Bandial ki ankhon mein aansoo aa gaye

    ‘Mera bhi dil hai’, Chief Justice Bandial ki ankhon mein aansoo aa gaye

     Now at three members — resumed hearing the PTI’s petition against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to delay polls in Punjab on Friday.

     The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the government’s request to form a full court on the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa election delay case. 

    A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, rejected the request put forward by Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan on behalf of the government. 

    During the hearing it was reported that CJP Bandial got teary eyed and said that he too has a heart and emotions.

    SC bench dobaara toot gaya; After Justice Amin, Justice Mandokhail recuses from hearing election delay case

    Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, who was part of the four-member bench hearing the case against the delay of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) elections, has excused himself from hearings on Friday morning, adding to the turmoil gripping the Supreme Court.

    Justice Mandokhail said that Justice Amin-ud-Din excused himself from hearing the case. After Justice Amin’s decision, the order was awaited. “I received the court order yesterday at home. I have written a separate note on the order, Attorney General, please read the dissenting note,” said Justice Mandokhail.

    The Attorney General read the dissenting note of Justice Jamal Mandokhail, in which it was said that he was a member of the bench; he was not consulted while writing the judgment. “I think I am a misfit in the bench,” the justice wrote in his note.

    A four-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial was to hear Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea against the delay in elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab today.

    Initially, a five-member larger bench of the top court was hearing the case.

    The original bench comprised CJP Bandial, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.

    However, on Thursday the bench was dissolved after Justice Khan recused himself from the case after a Supreme Court order halted proceedings under Article 184(3).

    After the dissolution of the bench, Supreme Court announced that the bench would continue hearing the case without Justice Khan.

    Taking to Twitter, the PTI Chairman Imran Khan said, “Whether it’s a 5 mbr SC bench or Full Bench, it makes no difference to us bec all we want to know is if elections will be held within the 90 days’ constitutional provision.”

    “Before we dissolved our two provincial assemblies, I consulted our top constitutional lawyers, all of whom were clear that the 90-day constitutional provision on holding elections was inviolable.”

    “Now Imported Govt of crooks, their handlers & a compromised ECP are making a complete mockery of Constitution. By cherry picking which Articles of Constitution they will abide by, they are threatening the very foundation of Pakistan, which is the Constitution & Rule of Law. So petrified are they of elections & so desperate to whitewash their convicted ldrs that they are prepared to destroy the Constitution & any semblance of Rule of Law.”

  • ‘Larger bench toot gya’: Justice Amin-Ud-Din recuses from hearing delay in elections case

    ‘Larger bench toot gya’: Justice Amin-Ud-Din recuses from hearing delay in elections case

    The Supreme Court was set to resume the hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to defer the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 11:30 but the hearing was delayed following Justice Amin-Ud-Din’s recusal.

    At the outset of today’s hearing, when the five-member bench came to the courtroom, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said Justice Amin wanted to say something.

    “I recuse myself from the instant case in light of SC order issued by Justice Qazi Faez Isa,” the judge stated. 

    The original bench comprised CJP Bandial, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.

    Justice Amin-Ud-Din concurred with Justice Isa while Justice Shahid Waheed dissented with the majority order of 2-1 in a suo moto case regarding the grant of 20 marks to Hafiz-e-Quran students while seeking admission to MBBS/BDS Degree under Regulation 9(9) of the MBBS and BDS (Admissions, House Job and Internship) Regulations, 2018.

  • Election suo moto: Supreme Court will hear the case tomorrow

    Election suo moto: Supreme Court will hear the case tomorrow

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday pointed out that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone polls in Punjab was taken in haste.

    During the hearing, the criticism from top court judges, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail was also discussed.

    “Two honourable judges gave a decision. It’s the opinion of those two judges but is not related to the current case. Do not bypass a sensitive matter,” remarked the CJP.

    However, the two judges also said that the suo motu proceedings initiated by the CJP were “wholly unjustified”, besides being initiated with “undue haste”.

    About the polls matter, CJP Bandial remarked that the court does not want to drag this matter. He also said that elections are necessary for a democracy.

    The hearing was then postponed till 11:30am tomorrow (Wednesday).

    CJ Bandial says he respects colleague’s criticism, resumes hearing over polls

    After criticism of the unfettered powers enjoyed by Bandial by his fellow judges Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, the head of the apex court said that the note is his colleagues’ opinion.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the five-member larger resumed the hearing on election suo moto, with Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail sitting on the bench.

    ‘One-man power show’: Chief Justice under fire by his own colleagues

    On March 27, the top court judges said that the suo moto taken by the top court over the delay in elections was rejected by four judges so there is no point in the proceedings of the case.

    Turning their guns toward CJP Bandial, the two judges said that the SC can’t rely on him for its decision. Using strong words against the CJP, both of them were of the view that institutions should review this “one-man power show”.

    “When one person has too much power, there is a risk that the institution may become autocratic and insulated, resulting in one-man policies being pursued, which may have a tendency of going against the rights and interests of the people,” the document read.

    They said that CJP has unlimited powers and he can enjoy that tirelessly.

    Regarding the election matter, the top court judges directed Lahore High Court (LHC) and Peshawar High Court to settle the problem in both provinces.

    It should be noted that the Supreme Court had taken notice itself regarding the date of the election in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and initially a 9-member larger bench was formed on it. However, later, a five-member bench heard the case and announced that elections should be held within 90 days.

    Earlier, a bench headed by Bandial heard a plea by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the Election Commission’s decision to delay Punjab elections till October 8.

  • Love, honour and respect: Pakistani Sikh community arranges iftar for Muslims

    Love, honour and respect: Pakistani Sikh community arranges iftar for Muslims

    In the spirit of Ramzan, the Sikh community in Peshawar has continued its tradition to serve Iftar to fasting Muslims with the objective of promoting love, fraternity, respect, and honour among people of different faiths.

    Sikh families living in the Mohalla Jogan Shah area of the walled city take turns to arrange food; as a result these ‘dastarkhawans’ work round the month.

    The community not only makes arrangements for Muslim brothers but also distributed rations among the needy and poor. Each of the ration packs consists of essential items including cooking oil, rice, pulses, chickpeas, beans, sugar, and tea.

    Chairman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the National Peace Council for Interfaith Harmony Jatinder Singh said that the objective behind this practice by Sikhs is “to promote love, fraternity, respect, and honour among people of different”. Pointing out that his community had lived in the country for generations, he said they wanted to convey a message of mutual coexistence among its citizens.

    Sikh traders also announce special discounts in their shops during Ramzan besides donating money to the needy.

  • Can ECP change election date set by President Alvi? Supreme Court will resume hearing tomorrow

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Monday heard a plea by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the Election Commission’s decision to delay Punjab elections till October 8 after which the apex court issued notices to the commission and to the governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    The five-member larger bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail — heard the case.

    The apex court also sought guarantees from the government and PTI for remaining peaceful for free, fair, and transparent elections. 

    PTI’s lawyer Ali Zafar pointed out that the Ministry of Interior and Defence refused to provide security personnel.

    Zafar said that the Constitution does not allow the postponement of elections on the basis of the administration’s non-cooperation.

    “What guarantee is there that the situation will be better in October?” he questioned.

    The hearing was adjourned till 11:30am tomorrow (Tuesday).

    Earlier, ECP delayed Punjab elections and change the date from April 30 to October 8 after which the commission came under fire from the former ruling party.

    President Arif Alvi set April 30 as the date of the election in Punjab.

    Following the ECP’s announcement, KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali also urged the electoral body to also hold the general elections on the same date (October 8) as the Punjab polls given the growing security threats from terror groups operating from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions.

    No live coverage of rallies in Islamabad

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Monday restricted live coverage of rallies and public gatherings across the federal capital on March 27, hours before PTI chairman Imran Khan was expected to appear before the Islamabad High Court.

    It observed that satellite television channels run live footages/images of violent mobs, attacking on police and law enforcement agencies.

  • Phaddah between PTI and govt after ECP changed Punjab election date

    Phaddah between PTI and govt after ECP changed Punjab election date

    Tensions between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have escalated after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday postponed Punjab elections, scheduled to be held on April 30, till October 8.

    The postponement was done in view of the recent spate of terrorist attacks in various parts of the country.

    The order said that the interior ministry conveyed to the ECP that the deployment of civil and armed forces would not be possible due to the “spike in incidents of terrorism across the country” and threat alerts from intelligence agencies.

    PTI is not happy with ECP’s decision while the government welcomed it.

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan who has been campaigning for early elections has termed the ECP’s announcement a violation of the Constitution.

    Stating that he did not dissolve his governments in Punjab and KP “to allow a bunch of fascists to impose a reign of terror”, Imran Khan led the charge in slamming the decision while his party members also criticised the postponement.

    However, in a meeting of the federal cabinet, it was noted that general elections should be held simultaneously across the country. It is not possible to hold elections in two provinces, they said.

    The meeting observed that the security and financial situation was not suitable for elections. Plus, the government was also short of funds and discussions were still going on with the IMF on a bailout package.

    On Thursday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that postponing elections is in the country’s interest.

    She went on to say a population census is going on in the country. It is not possible to hold elections before the completion of the census.

  • PTI spent more than Rs100 million on social media influencers monthly, says KP minister

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Caretaker Minister for Information, Barrister Feroze Jamal Shah, has claimed that when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was in power in the province, they spent Rs150-160 million rupees on social media influencers “to create and run trends in favour of PTI”.

    Talking to a private channel, he said that a total of 5000 social influencers were recruited by the provincial government in its last days and they were being paid between Rs25,000 to 30,000 per month.

    He said that the recruitments were illegal as they were not done according to the procedure, nor was any advertisement issued for the posts.

    He said that there was no area in the province where these influencers were not working.

    The minister stated that an investigation will take place as the government has sent the case of these 5,000 recruits to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

  • PTI welcomes supreme court’s verdict while govt says it doesn’t require review

    PTI welcomes supreme court’s verdict while govt says it doesn’t require review

    Political parties from across the spectrum are reacting to Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) elections suo moto case.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Fawad Chaudhry welcomed the verdict, saying, “It’s a victory for the Constitution”.

    The Supreme Court, the PTI leader added, has bound the federation to provide all sorts of support with security and provision of funds for carrying out polls.

    When asked whether elections will happen on April 9, as earlier suggested by President Arif Alvi, he responded by saying that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) proposed in court that the commission can make the elections possible on April 25.

    He also said that if the government doesn’t agree to the SC’s verdict, the top court will send the government home under Article 187.

    He also added that all five judges endorsed the principle of the election within 90 days. During a media talk, the PTI leader stressed that “Election is the foundation of the state.”

    On the other hand, Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid congratulated the nation on the verdict and asked the country to “prepare for the elections”.

    He hoped that PTI is going to form governments in KP and Punjab

    From the government side, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that there is no need to review the decision of the Supreme Court’s verdict, nor is it a matter that requires interpretation.

    He said that petitions are still being heard in High Courts, and the interpretation of the decision can also be seen there.

    He also stressed that the verdict is quite clear. However, the law minister took a jibe at President Alvi, saying that he breached the constitution by giving a date for the elections in both provinces.

    Earlier today (Wednesday), the top court directed all relevant authorities to hold elections within 90 days.

    The decision was passed three-two in favour of the verdict by the five-member bench, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail giving dissenting notes.

  • Supreme Court to announce verdict tomorrow at 11am in elections suo motu case

    A five-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) has reserved its verdict and said that it would announce the verdict in the elections suo motu case tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11am.

    The hearing of the case has been completed.

    Last Wednesday, the top court took suo motu notice of the delay in holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    SC orders PTI and govt to consult on elections dates themselves and inform court

    Earlier, the apex court directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the coalition government to sit together and decide on a date for elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab by 4pm today (Tuesday).

    In this regard, the top court directed Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry to consult with their party chairman, Imran Khan—who has been making appearances before various courts since Tuesday afternoon— and coalition partners’ lawyers to consult with their leaders and update the court.

    The instructions were issued after a five-member bench resumed hearing the apex court’s suo motu proceedings regarding the delay in the provincial polls.

    During the hearing on Tuesday, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial stated that none of the institutions, other than the court, had the authority to extend elections further than 90 days.

    The CJP also said that the court wanted to wrap up the proceedings today. “Our entire work is on halt because of this case,” he added and adjourned the hearing.

    The hearing has resumed again.

    Bench toot gaya: Five judges resume SC hearing after four recuse themselves from suo motu

    On February 27, SC resumed the hearing regarding election date suo motu notice.

    The bench, which previously included nine SC judges, has been reconstituted to a five-member bench after four judges disassociated themselves. Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Yahya Afridi recused themselves from hearing the case.

    A five-member bench has now started listening to the hearing of the case. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has said that the case has to be wrapped up by 9:30 tomorrow.

    At the previous hearing, the coalition parties — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamat-e-Ulema Islami-Fazl (JUI-F) — had presented a note in the apex court asking two SC judges, Justice Ahsan and Justice Naqvi, to recuse themselves from the case.

    CJP Bandial said that four members of the bench have disassociated themselves from the bench. “The remaining bench, however, will continue hearing the case.

    “We will continue the hearing for the interpretation of the Constitution because what the Constitution says depends on its interpretation,” he stated.

    CJP Bandial also pointed out that the note of one of Justice Mandokhail had emerged on social media even before the verdict was released. “We will take precautions so that such an incident does not recur in the future.”

    The CJP also addressed the issue of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail’s objection note being leaked on social media, assuring that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

    He remarked that whatever written in the Constitution was conditional on the interpretation of it, noting that the case was critical and warranted swiftness.

    Starting out his arguments, PTI’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar said that the chief minister of Punjab sent a summary regarding dissolution of assembly to the governor.

    However, he said that the governor did not comply to it following which the assembly automatically dissolved after 48 hours.

    The counsel argued that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had requested the date of polls from the governor, who refused, citing that he was not the one who dissolved the assembly.

    Zafar said that President Arif Alvi summoned chief election commissioner for finalizing the date for polls however he did not show up.

    Following this, the lawyer said that the president unilaterally announced the dates for elections in both provinces.

    He emphasized that the Constitution clearly stipulated that elections could not exceed 90 days after the dissolution of the assembly.

    Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that there was a difference between automatic dissolution of assembly and that performed by the governor.

    Barrister Zafar commented that there was a need for someone to intervene in matters of public interest and therefore, the president announced the date.

    In response, Justice Mandokhail asked whether the president unilaterally announced the election date or if he was instructed by someone else.

    The counsel clarified that the president had provided details regarding the election date in his letter. Additionally, Zafar highlighted that the president had sent two letters to the election commission, with the first one dated February 8 requesting the announcement of the election date.

    He added that the main issue at hand was related to the announcement of the election date, which nobody seemed to be prepared for.

    The chief justice then asked if the ECP had responded to the president’s first letter, to which the counsel replied in the negative.

    During the hearing, PPP’s lawyer Farooq H Naek highlighted that they had filed a petition for the formation of a full court.

    The chief justice responded by stating that they would decide on the matter after hearing the counsel’s arguments.

    Barrister Zafar maintained that the elections could not be delayed for ten years. The court inquired about the progress in KP and asked if the governor could write a letter seeking consultation on the election date citing terrorism.

    The lawyer responded by stating that, according to him, the governor does not possess such authority.

    Justice Mazhar asked if the elections could be delayed due to terrorism, to which Justice Ali remarked that the decision on whether the polls would occur could only be taken when a date was fixed for the electoral exercise.

    Justice Mazhar then stated that the entire month was wasted on consultations.

    Justice Mandokhail inquired if the law and order situation could hamper the organization of the election, to which the CJP responded by reminding everyone that the assemblies in 2013 and 2018 completed their five-year terms.

    The DG Law added that the president could only fix the date for the polls once the assemblies completed their term.

    Justice Munib Akhtar remarked that the advice of the chief minister was implemented in KP but not in Punjab.

    The CJP stated that holding elections was the ECP’s job, while Barrister Zafar pointed out that Articles 218, 219, and 222 of the Constitution declared the election commission responsible for holding elections.

    Justice Mandokhail asked who was responsible for announcing the election date, to which Barrister Zafar said that the same question was before the court.

    He went on to say that the ECP gets the right to announce the date if Articles 218 and 219 were read jointly.

    The hearing was adjourned for a short break and set to resume at 4pm.

  • President Alvi sets April 9 as election day for Punjab and KP

    President Alvi sets April 9 as election day for Punjab and KP

    President Dr Arif Alvi has announced that elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will be held on April 9.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Section 57(1) of the Elections Act, 2017 says that the president is entrusted to announce the election date after consulting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)

    Earlier today, ECP said no to meeting President Alvi when he invited the commission to consult with him, citing that the matter of elections is sub judice.

    ECP says no to meeting with President Alvi

    On Monday, ECP, in a letter addressed to Alvi, has stated that the matter of deciding a date for elections is subjudice, hence, it cannot participate in a meeting on this issue with the president.

    The development comes days after Alvi wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, inviting him for an “urgent meeting” to discuss and consult on the election date in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The meeting was set to take place today (Monday, February 20).

    Two federal ministers, Rana Sanaullah and Marriyum Aurangzeb, have defended the ECP.

    In a statement issued on Monday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Presidency has become “Awan-e-Sazish” [centre of conspiracy], adding that the government will not allow it to become “Imran Khan’s Tiger Force”. She also advised Alvi against becoming a puppet of the former Prime Minister.

    Meanwhile, in a tweet, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah lambasted Alvi, stating that, “ECP is not your slave,” and adding that “Imran is now using the head of state [Alvi] for conspiracy”.

    President Alvi asks ECP for urgent meeting to consult on Punjab, KP’s election dates

    Earlier, in a letter to ECP, the president expressed displeasure over the “apathy and inaction” of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on not responding to his earlier letter as yet. The first letter was sent on February 8.

    The president stated that he had waited anxiously that the ECP would realise its constitutional duties to proceed and act accordingly, but was extremely dismayed by the commission’s “approach on this important matter”.

    The meeting will take place on February 20 (Monday).

    The president’s official Twitter account said that the two will discuss Section 57(1) of Elections Act, 2017 which details that the president is entrusted to announce the election date after consulting the ECP.

    Punjab and KP assemblies were dissolved in January to pave way for fresh elections.

    It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been asking for the elections since the ouster of their chairman Imran Khan as Prime Minister.