- Both parties agree to approach SC independently for ordering timely polls
KARACHI: As the debate heats up after the passage of resolutions in the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies seeking a delay in elections, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have warned of protests if the country does not go to polls on July 25, reported a local English daily.
Following the nullification of delimitations in various districts and rejection of nomination papers by the parliamentary committee, the PPP and PML-N have decided to approach the Supreme Court (SC) to issue orders that the elections be held on July 25. In case the elections are delayed, both the parties have decided, through mutual consultation, that masses will be contacted a protest movement can be started in consultation with their allies.
The government had announced July 25 as the official date of elections after President Mamnoon Hussain gave approval of the same.
According to reports, PPP has tasked former opposition leader Khursheed Shah to contact other parties and learn about their plans and strategies. The party will be adopting on a legal and constitutional way to deal with the situation. The PML-N, on the other hand, has decided to consult the Supreme Court after consultation with its allies.
Talking to a leading English Daily, PPP Central Leader Nafeesa Shah said that the party leadership has expressed concerns about the potential delay in elections.
On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry told a leading English Daily that chances of delay are slim. “PTI understands that the elections should be held on time,” Chaudhry reiterated adding that PTI will also take up the case legally if there is a delay in elections.
PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haque said that he met with the election commission officials where they stated that with the way high courts were cancelling delimitations, it would be very difficult to hold elections on time, adding that the ECP authorities informed him that they were reviewing legalities on the issue.
The ECP further confirmed that the elections will be held on time, and a constitutional means will be adopted to tackle hurdles. Reports say that the commission was reviewing the court decisions of dismissing the delimitations and nomination forms.
