The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a report from all four provinces regarding holding local government (LG) elections in the country and directed to give a fixed and final date for the said polls.
The apex court also issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the provinces for holding the LB elections.
The directions were issued by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed during the hearing in Balochistan law and order case.
During the proceedings, the bench sought a date by today (Thursday) from the provinces for holding LG elections.
Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed asked whether the government would give a date for holding the elections or the court should do it.
Upon this, the Punjab advocate general requested the court to give him time until Thursday for filing a reply on behalf of the province.
The chief justice remarked that the cantonment board had given a date for holding their elections after orders by the court.
The bench asked why not the LG elections were conducted along with the cantonment board elections.
Meanwhile, during the hearing of routine case, the chief justice remarked that there was bright hope after the new government that peace would be maintained in Balochistan, but the situation was still the same.
The CJ further stated that if police, Rangers, MI and FC were under the control of the government, what were the factors not allowing peace to flourish in the province.
He maintained that a couple of days ago another six people were killed in Balochistan and strike was being observed there.
The Balochistan chief secretary apprised the court that no stone was left unturned to maintain law and order in the province and police was conducting raids in all suspected areas.
He added that as in other parts of the country, elections were held in Balochistan in a peaceful manner which was a great success.
However, he accepted that law and order in the province was still not satisfactory.
The bench in its order sought a report from the federation for maintaining peace and tranquility in Balochistan and other provinces and its cooperation in that regard.
The bench also sought date from the provinces for holding LG polls and adjourned the hearing until July 18.