Politics

‘Constitutional amendment or elections’, PTI tells govt

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Fawad says govt’s attitude of not following Constitution unacceptable.
“The government plans to create anarchy in the country,” says Qureshi.
PTI vice chairman says his party will abide by Supreme Court’s verdict.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry told the government Wednesday to either amend the Constitution or hold elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies in line with the Supreme Court’s order.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is saying elections should be held in October, whereas the Constitution says polls should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies,” he said in a tweet.

Therefore, the government should either take the matter to the Parliament and amend the Constitution by a two-thirds majority or hold the elections.

شہباز شریف کہ رہے ہیں کہ انتخابات اکتوبر میں ہونے چاہئیں آئین کہتا ہے کہ اسمبلیاں ٹوٹنے کے نوے دن کے اندر الیکشن ہونے ہیں کابینہ اپنا فیصلہ پارلیمان کو بھیج دے اور دو تہائ اکثریت سے آئین کو بدل لے دوسری صورت میں پنجاب اور خیبرپختونخواہ میں سپریم کورٹ کے حکم کے مطابق الیکشن…
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 26, 2023

“The Constitution cannot be suspended through mere statements and resolutions. The attitude of not following the Constitution is unacceptable.”

The PTI had dissolved the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies in January in a bid to force early general elections but the Shehbaz-led government has not given in to the demand.

The Supreme Court, while taking suo motu notice, directed that polls in Punjab be held on May 14. Following the verdict, the Ministry of Defence filed a petition in the apex court, requesting it to take back its earlier decision and direct that election across the country be held on the same day. However, the ministry’s petition was declared inadmissible for hearing.

In the latest hearing on elections, the SC directed the ruling coalition and the PTI to hold talks and reach a consensus on the date for polls, and to update it on the outcome on April 27.

In this regard, PM Shehbaz convened a meeting of the ruling allies today, after which he announced the matter would be referred to a parliamentary committee.

He also said that the Supreme Court does “not have the power to act as arbitrator” between the government and the PTI. “The Supreme Court’s job is not to act as a panchayat but to announce verdicts in accordance with the law and the Constitution,” the premier said.

Reacting to the comments, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the apex court was indeed not a panchayat and announced the verdict in the case of the election after interpreting the Constitution.

Talking to a private news channel, he noted that the SC asked political parties to discuss a date for elections. “Ministers promised [to do it] … but the government refuses to implement the Supreme Court’s verdict.

“The government plans to create anarchy in the country,” he alleged.

He accused National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf of partiality, adding that the government’s intentions were “not sincere” and it was inching towards violating the Constitution.

PTI leaders would appear in court hearings and abide by the SC’s verdict, he iterated.

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Rana Sana and Saad Rafique offered to join the government, according to sources

Published

22 hours ago

Farwa

In order to craft a political narrative, Rana Sanaullah reportedly persuaded the PM to let them remain outside the government.

They should write the political narrative while still working for the government, PM Shehbaz Sharif instructed them, according to sources.

“Since you will speak while staying outside the government fold, it will appear that we are against it,” the PM stated.

Khawaja Saad Rafique, according to sources, was also of the opinion that Rana Sanaullah was near to having.

According to their respective opinions, “We have to create a narrative in view of the future, liked by the masses.”

“The Prime Minister stated that Nawaz Sharif will decide on this issue,” according to party insiders.

“If Nawaz Sharif decides to let us join the government, Rana Sanaullah said,” according to sources.

The sources went on to say that Nawaz Sharif will decide on the issue after returning from his current trip to China.

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The Supreme Court has reinstated Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.

Published

23 hours ago

Farwa

The Court also issued an order to re-vote on 12 polling stations in Chaman’s PB-51 seat.

The court returns the case to the election commission with the candidates’ assent and orders the ECP to rule within 10 days of hearing the candidates.

“Under what rule did the ECP order re-polling in 12 polling stations?” Justice Ameenuddin Khan inquired. “The election commission saw 12 polling stations and ignored others,” Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar stated.

According to Justice Ameenuddin, the election commission did not undertake any inquiries or adhere to any principles.

“Only those polling stations were checked where maximum turnout of votes pointed out in petitions,” claimed the ECP’s DG Law.

Justice Mazhar stated that the ECP should have investigated the entire constituency.

On the request of a rival candidate, Muhammad Asghar Achakzai, the election body ordered re-elections in his constituency.

The case was considered by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Ameenuddin Khan.

Re-elections were ordered by the Election Commission at polling stations 56, 57, 61, 62, 79, 89, 90, 91, 95, 106, 129, and 130 in the PB-51 constituency.

In February, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Captain (retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai was chosen Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly without opposition.

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IHC prevents Sher Afzal Marwat of the PTI from being arrested by Punjab police

Published

23 hours ago

Farwa

According to Marwat Regarding a public meeting in Kasur, he was booked by Punjab police. IHC was approached by the MNA to request protective bail in this case.

PTI chief’s appeal was heard by Justice Tariq Jahangiri. The IHC granted Sher Afzal Marwat protective bail following preliminary arguments in exchange for a $10,000 surety bond.

The relevant court was asked to see him in two months. Following the fall of the PTI administration, Sher Afzal Marwat is dealing with several matters.

The PTI leader’s temporary bail was extended earlier this month by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in a different matter.

Judges Sahibzada Asadullah and Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the case.

Marwat requested the dismissal of the cases against him in his petition, claiming that 23 FIRs had been filed in the province against him for political purposes.