- AAG says delay in approval of amendment bill in Parliament causing delay in LB polls in cantonment boards
Supreme Court (SC) has expressed displeasure over government’s failure over holding local bodies’ (LB) elections in cantonment boards.
“LB polls are a constitutional requirement; how can the government backpedal from it? Five months have passed but the polls are still nowhere in sight. Will these be held in the next century?” SC remarked after its three-member bench, presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, took up the case for hearing on Thursday.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Shah Khawar told the court that the government had completed its homework on holding elections in cantonment boards. He cited the delay in approval of amendment bill, which was before the Parliament, to be the reason behind the delay in holding LB polls. He added that Ordinance 2002 and 1924 Act were not in conformity with each other and thus the bill was getting delayed.
“Government is fully sincere in conducting elections. As soon as the bill is passed by the Parliament, the president will sign it and we will hold the elections.”
The SC bench strictly ordered the government to hold LB polls terming the delay in constitutional amendment a ‘lame excuse’.
“Will the government not hold elections in cantonment boards if the assembly does not approve of the amendment bill for two years?” Justice Azmat Saeed said, reminding AAG of Article 140-A of the Constitution which demanded holding of LB polls.
The CJP grilled the government for making false promises regarding holding of LB polls.
The court sought reply from the government while fixing the case for hearing along with the case of Defence Secretary Asif Yasin and adjourned the case till January 16.