Supreme Court Adjourns Indefinitely the Hearing on Simultaneous Elections Petition, Rejects PTI’s Request for Talks Timeframe, and TLP’s Request to Become a Party in the Case
The Supreme Court has adjourned indefinitely the hearing on the petition seeking simultaneous elections in the country. During the hearing, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the court could not force the government to enter into dialogue with the opposition. He further added that politicians should themselves find solutions to the problems, and if the differences were not sorted out through talks, there is the Constitution and the apex court’s judgement.
Rejecting PTI’s request for talks timeframe, the CJP made it clear that the court would issue an order, but there would neither be any directive nor any timeline regarding the talks. The court also did not allow Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s request to become a party in the case.
The court questioned the government’s approach towards holding talks on elections, with the Chief Justice remarking that the government is dilly-dallying with the issue. The AGP informed the justices that the first contact between the government and the opposition took place on April 19, and it was decided that a meeting would be held on April 26.
PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed the court that the PTI is ready to sit in parliament for talks, and the party had already put forward the details of its committee for dialogue. Meanwhile, Fawad Chaudhry warned that the negotiations’ process could not be prolonged, and if a decision is not taken within two to three days, elections will be held as per the Constitution.
In summary, the Supreme Court did not issue any directive or timeline regarding the talks, and politicians should find solutions to political matters themselves. The court has adjourned the hearing indefinitely and rejected PTI’s request for talks timeframe and TLP’s request to become a party in the case.
