SC decides to indict defence secretary on Nov 4

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The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that contempt charges would be framed against Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Asif Yaseen Malik over his failure to hold local bodies elections in cantonment boards.

Hearing a case regarding local bodies elections in the country, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the court could not grant more time in this regard.

During the hearing, the chief justice ordered that contempt charges against the defence secretary be framed on November 4.

The secretary had filed a written apology to the apex court on Tuesday, expressing regret over not honouring his undertaking of holding local bodies’ elections in cantonment boards.

He was ordered by the court to hold local government elections in all 43 cantonment boards across the country.

The CJ told Asif Yaseen’s counsel Advocate Iftikhar Gilani that his client had not given any date for holding of polls in cantonment boards despite his written apology. The lawyer was of the view that the defence secretary was not entitled to hold the elections, adding that it was the jurisdiction of the prime minister.

The court ruled that a contempt of court case be filed against the defence secretary and fixed November 4 for formal indictment over his failure in abiding by court orders.

The Supreme Court also ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold local bodies’ elections on dates given by the provinces.

The bench said Punjab and Balochistan provincial governments had informed the court that they were ready to hold local bodies’ elections on December 7, while the Sindh government was ready to hold elections on November 27.

1 COMMENT

  1. Does anyone know when Head Constable Iftikhar Chaudhary, Thanna Muhrar of Pakistan, is going to retire? I do not live in Pakistan but will throw a big party the day this happens. His talented son, Arslan, can join the evening for free and unlimited booze.

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