The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has said that it was all set to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis in the general elections, but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said it was not possible for the commission to provide the said facility in a short time.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing in the case on Friday.
Attorney General (AG) Irfan Qadir said the government was bound to follow and implement the decisions of ECP and the commission had excused from facilitating overseas Pakistanis.
NADRA apprised the apex court that seven countries had given consent to facilitate their Pakistani citizens, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and England.
The NADRA chairman said software prepared for giving vote right to overseas Pakistanis would be tested next month after which it would be installed in six more countries.
The CJP said nothing was impossible but it needed commitment and sincerity
He said the outgoing government made legislation even on the last day of its tenure for its interest.
Justice Sheikh Azmat remarked that the government was playing “minister’s game” with the judiciary.
The SC directed the AG to hold joint meeting with government, Election Commission, NADRA and other stakeholders for enactment of legislation on temporary basis to make overseas Pakistanis part of the electoral process.
The CJP said “We have read replies of the federation and ECP and they have not said anywhere that they have reservations. We had asked NADRA and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and they had told that it was practicable. It is becoming incomprehensible if the government or ECP is facing any problem.”
The Foreign Ministry also assured the court that it was ready to get implemented fully all the court’s orders in this respect.
Justice Azamat Saeed added that had no slackness been shown, work would have been accomplished by now.
The CJP observed that it was the job of the ECP, not the government to provide facilities to the voters.
“It is your duty. Pakistanis living here and overseas have equal rights.”
The ECP isn’t what it should be
The vested interest (Zardari and co) was successful in infiltrating it with moles and cronies
It is sad to see the ECP taking half hearted action on court verdicts and guidance and outright non democratic actions.
Transparency and level playing field have gone out the window
Fakhroo bhai YOU have been a great disappointment, YOU will be remembered as such, if you were not up to it you should not have taken it upon your pathetic self.
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