Punjab AG says he cannot reply on behalf of Punjab government
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday gave time until March 19 to the Punjab government for providing time frame on matters related to LB polls and making appropriate amendments in Local Government Act Punjab with reference to delimitations of constituencies.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani said, “We want implementation of law to ensure their rights are given to people. The governments of Punjab and Sindh don’t want to conduct LB polls therefore they are set to seek maximum time. If government of Punjab is willing then it should let Election Commission (EC) carry out delimitations and give time frame for holding LB elections. If EC can carry out delimitation of constituencies for National Assembly (NA) then why it can not conduct LB polls.”
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said, “Devolving powers at grassroots level is more difficult than conducing LB polls and doing this is not acceptable to considerable extent to the incumbent governments.”
PPP General Secretary Sardar Latif Khosa has neither appeared nor filed reply on behalf of his party during the course of hearing of the case.
A three-member bench of SC headed by the CJP resumed the hearing of the case on Thursday.
Akram Sheikh said delimitation of constituencies is domain of EC under Article 222. 18th amendment is silent over it. The local government can also be brought in this ambit.
Justice Hussain said, “You want to say that legislating is domain of majlis-e-shura.”
The CJP said, “Vacuum has come in government of Punjab. There is no clause of delimitation. Can EC fill this vacuum on its own?”
Sheikh said the formula exists, but the question is that who will implement it.
The Punjab advocate general said, “We have not challenged the decision. The other parties have challenged it. We want to carry out delimitations as per decision of larger bench government is not ignorant of its duties.”
The CJP said, “We want law is implemented. Suppose we uphold the decision then you will give how much time to hold LB polls and enact legislation.”
The AG said he could not give reply on behalf of government of Punjab. It will take appropriate time.
Justice Hussain said, “We will not give two years time.”
The AG said, “We have not to spend two years nor is it our desire.”
The CJP said, “Six months time was given. Why the work has not been done with regard to it.”
The court adjourned the hearing of the case until March 19. The hearing of case pertaining to conduct of elections in cantonment boards was also put off until March 19.
