The Pakistan Supreme Court (SC) is preparing to deliver its decision today (Tuesday) in the case concerning the postponement of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). However, the government has objected to the three-judge panel overseeing the case.
Previously, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) scheduled the Punjab elections for April 30 but later moved the date to October 8 for both Punjab and KP. This led the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to submit an appeal to the highest court.
The supreme court started reviewing PTI’s petition on March 27 and, after hearing arguments for eight days, reserved its judgment on April 3, with plans to announce the decision on April 4. Although no official timing has been given, sources suggest the verdict may be revealed after 11:30 am.
Initially, a five-judge panel was assembled, including Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and Justices Amin-ud-Din Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Munib Akhtar, and Ijazul Ahsan. However, the bench was reduced to four and ultimately three members due to the recusal of Justices Amin and Mandokhail.
The three-judge panel, which will deliver the verdict, heard arguments from the advocate generals of Punjab and KP, the attorney general for Pakistan, the ECP’s attorney, and the secretaries of defense and finance. During the proceedings, the ruling coalition parties – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – requested the formation of a full court to hear the case. However, the supreme court denied their request. The coalition parties have expressed no confidence in the three-judge panel and maintain that they will not accept the decision.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has also warned that the government will not accept a hastily made decision on such a significant matter. Meanwhile, PTI has stated they will respect and accept the court’s ruling. PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the ruling coalition to do the same and accept the supreme court’s verdict.
