Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)
Supreme Court has intervened in the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) order, suspending the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification regarding the appointment of District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) from the executive branch. The court has directed the ECP to announce the Election Program for upcoming elections, resolving uncertainties caused by the LHC’s order.
COAS Gen Munir called on key US government and military officials during his ongoing visit to the US including, Antony J Blinken, Secretary of State, General Lloyd J Austin (retired), Secretary of Defence, Victoria Nuland, Deputy Secretary of State, Jonathan Finer, Deputy National Security Adviser, and General Charles Q Brown, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both sides agreed to continue engagement for exploring potential avenues of bilateral collaboration in pursuit of shared interests.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court asked the Commission to resume the training of DROs and ROs, which had been halted due to the LHC’s order. The court directed the LHC not to proceed further on the PTI’s petition and forwarded the file to the Supreme Court for potential hearings.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa emphasized that they would not engage in micromanagement, stating that the Court had not compelled anyone but rather, the decision to hold general elections on February 8, 2023, was mutually agreed upon by the ECP and the President.
The Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the ECP’s petition against the LHC’s order. The court expressed concern over the LHC’s order at the eleventh hour and issued a contempt notice to Barrister Umair Niazi, who filed the petition before the LHC.
The Court noted that the LHC’s order contradicted its own directives and challenged the constitutionality of the ECP’s responsibilities. The ECP sought a declaration that the LHC’s order is unconstitutional and void. The court also highlighted the importance of resolving the Kashmir Issue in accordance with international law.
The SC’s order criticized the LHC’s self-contradictory decision and stated that the judge overstepped jurisdiction under Article 199 of the constitution. It expressed disappointment in the petitioner’s understanding of the Supreme Court’s judgment on preserving democracy.
The court acknowledged the challenges faced by the ECP in preparing for the upcoming elections, including the drafting of the Election Programme. It emphasized the need to address the impugned order swiftly to ensure the timely announcement of election-related activities.
