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CJP Bandial directs ECP to implement LHC orders on Punjab election date

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  • Why ECP is consulting governor, asks SC judge.
  • ECP informs SC of its delegation’s meeting with governor.
  • Apex court seeks progress on LHC order regarding elections.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to implement the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) orders on general elections in Punjab.

The directives were issued by the Supreme Court when it took up the petition of the Punjab Assembly lawmakers that were de-seated for not towing the party lines. The plea was dismissed as the petitioner informed the bench that it was inadmissible following the dissolution of the assembly.

At the outset of the hearing, CJP Umar Ata Bandial observed that the issue of restoring the dissident lawmakers was over as the assembly had been dissolved.

The CJP then asked the Election Commission what it was doing on the directives issued by the high court to give a date for the elections.

At this, ECP’s director-general of law told the bench that a delegation of the commission had met Punjab Governor Baligh Ur Rehman on the issue a day earlier. He added that the governor had directed the ECP to seek further clarity in this regard.

“The legal way has to be taken by the governor or the Election Commission?” asked CJP. The ECP official said that it was the governor’s domain.

At that point, Justice Ayesha Malik interjected and asked why the ECP was consulting with the governor.

“Does the Constitution make it liable for the ECP to consult the governor before the polls?” she asked.

Meanwhile, CJP Bandial told the ECP counsel that the high court had asked them to hold elections and they should implement its order.

To this, ECP’s DG law informed the bench that the court had also directed them to consult with the governor.

“If the high court has given this order then follow it,” remarked CJP Bandial and disposed of the plea.

LHC directs ECP to hold polls within 90 days

Last week, the high court had directed the commission to ensure that polls in Punjab are held within 90 days.

Announcing the reserved verdict, Justice Jawad Hassan accepted the PTI’s plea and asked the electoral body to hold the polls within the constitutional limit.

“…the ECP is directed to immediately announce the date of election of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab with the notification specifying reasons, after consultation with the Governor of Punjab, being the constitutional Head of the Province, to ensure that the elections are held not later than ninety days as per the mandate of the Constitution,” the judgment read.

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Zaidong, the ambassador, said China will fully back Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations.

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Reaffirming on Thursday that China will provide Pakistan with unwavering support in its fight against terrorism is Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.

In an interview that was broadcast on television, the ambassador promised to cooperate with Pakistan and said that China will protect the interests and safety of the citizens of the two friendly nations.

Zaidong underscored that efforts to undermine the two nations’ bilateral relationship would be thwarted by China’s cooperation with Pakistan.

Also, he emphasized how crucial China-Pakistan relations have become strategically given the changing nature of the world.

In highlighting the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the ambassador reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to seeing it through.

In addition to creating thousands of employment, he said, “the CPEC has facilitated significant advancements in power generation and transportation infrastructure with over $25 billion in direct investments and substantial infrastructure development.”

Zaidong stressed the value of sharing ideas and knowledge between Pakistan and China, acknowledging their shared security objectives.

Stressing that both countries have a common future, he envisioned their partnership having a greater social impact.

Concerning the terrorist attack on Chinese nationals [working on the Dasu dam], the ambassador expressed gratitude to the Pakistani people for their condolences and sympathy and commended the government for its prompt action.

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Mild rain in Lahore improves the weather

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Early on Friday, light rain in the province capital Lahore and its surrounding areas improved the weather.

But rain also led to power outages in several areas of Lahore, as multiple feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) blew, leaving whole sections of the city without power.

Details show that rain was observed in a number of locations throughout the city, including Model Town, Gulberg, Garden Town, Mall Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Gulshan Ravi, Jail Road, and Sanda.

However, the Met Office has forecasted an additional day of rain for the city during the next 24.

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The government will begin coordinated action against lawbreakers in the Katcha region

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On Friday, Mohsin Naqvi, the interior minister, announced that the government would begin a coordinated operation in the Katcha region to eradicate the miscreants for good.

He stated that collaborative efforts in the Katcha region will make use of contemporary technologies, including drones.

According to Mohsin Naqvi, all security agencies, including the police, should make sure that SOPs are fully implemented in order to protect Chinese nationals living in Pakistan.

He declared that any carelessness in this respect will not be accepted at all while presiding over a meeting to review the National Action Plan’s implementation at NACTA headquarters in Islamabad.

According to Naqvi, failure to follow the SOPs for the safety of foreign nationals will result in severe disciplinary action.

“We have to outfit our departments with cutting-edge technology to eradicate terrorism,” stated the interior minister. He declared that the provinces will receive all the assistance from the federation in this area.

Anti-state forces will be permanently driven out of the Katcha region, according to Naqvi. The interior minister expressed satisfaction with the anti-smuggling operations and stated that all ministries need to make sure that smugglers face stern legal action.

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