The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjourned the hearing regarding a petition that seeks simultaneous elections for all national and provincial assemblies.
The court initially gave the federal coalition and the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) until 4 p.m. to reach an election consensus, maintaining its stance on holding the Punjab Assembly elections on May 14.
A three-judge bench, including Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar, presided over the hearing. The coalition parties informed the court that they planned to discuss with the opposition after Eid, but Justice Bandial instructed the government to conduct these talks on the same day.
The hearing, scheduled to resume at 4 p.m., did not recommence as the three-judge bench did not return to the courtroom. PPP representative Farooq H. Naek informed reporters that the CJP had been informed that dialogue had begun with the PTI. The attorney announced that the hearing was postponed until April 27, but no written order has been issued yet.
Political leaders from various parties attended the hearing, including Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Ayaz Sadiq, PML-Q’s Tariq Bashir Cheema, MQM leader Sabir Hussain Qaimkhani, and JI emir Sirajul Haq. Each leader shared their thoughts, with the majority supporting simultaneous elections and dialogue.
CJP Bandial encouraged political leaders to uphold the Constitution’s supremacy and engage in dialogue to resolve the issue. He also suggested that Eidul Azha occurs in July, and national elections could be held afterward.
During the hearing, the court also discussed the ECP’s (Election Commission of Pakistan) ability to extend election dates. CJP Bandial noted that Article 254 of the Constitution prevented the ECP from extending election dates and emphasized that the Constitution and the law bound the court.
The hearing was eventually postponed to April 27. The petition, filed by citizen Sardar Kashif Khan, argues that it would be preferable to conduct general elections for all assemblies simultaneously, considering the current political climate in Pakistan. The petition also emphasizes the potential financial savings and logistical benefits of holding all elections simultaneously.
