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Thursday, December 19, 2024  
16 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

National Assembly rejects Supreme Court order to conduct Punjab snap polls

Decision was made in a coalition parties meeting
MNA Khalid Magsi reads out the resolution in the National Assembly on April 6, 2023. Screengrab via YouTube/PTV Parliament
MNA Khalid Magsi reads out the resolution in the National Assembly on April 6, 2023. Screengrab via YouTube/PTV Parliament

The National Assembly of Pakistan passed a resolution rejecting the Supreme Court’s decision to hold elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14.

The resolution was presented by Khalid Magsi of the Balochistan Awami Party.

“The house rejects the minority judgement and binds the PM and cabinet not to implement the court’s unconstitutional order,” Magsi read out.

Members of the government benches including PM Shehbaz Sharif thumped their desks when the resolution was read.

Govt plans resolution against verdict

The coalition government decided to introduce a resolution in the National Assembly against the Supreme Court’s verdict in the election delay case on Wednesday.

The decision to pass an NA resolution against the SC verdict was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while addressing a meeting of the coalition parties’ leadership in Islamabad on Wednesday.

He said a mockery of the country’s Constitution and law is being made.

The comments from the PM came a day after a three-member bench of SC ruled that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) postponement of polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was “unconstitutional”.

The bench was headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprised Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan.

The top court’s verdict also came under discussion during the coalition parties meeting. Shehbaz Sharif directed all MNAs to ensure their attendance during the session.

The PTI meanwhile filed a petition before the apex court on Thursday demanding an election date for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

In a key development, PTI’s Asad Qaiser offer negotiations to move elections beyond the 90 day period stipulated in the constitution.

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Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan

ECP

Qasim Suri

Punjab Elections