Punjab CM polls: SC summons Hamza Shehbaz, Pervez Elahi via video link  

Lahore: Supreme Court of Pakistan has Friday directed Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz and Speaker Punjab Assembly Parvez Elahi to appear before the court registry before 4:00 pm to give their arguments in Punjab CM election case via video link.    

The apex court adjourned the proceedings for 30 minutes in a plea filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict to hold the poll on a day’s notice.  

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Jamal Mandokhel heard the petition. 

After the hearing resumed, Pervaiz Elahi indicated willingness through his lawyer that he is ready to accept Hamza Shahbaz Sharif as Punjab Chief Minister until the re-election for the slot. 

Apparently, the election for Chief Minister-slot is likely not to be held today.  

The court also instructed officials to communicate its order to Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari, who was ordered by the LHC to conduct the election.

Earlier in the day, Chief Justice said that he understood why the Lahore High Court had allowed only 36 hours for the recount or runoff election and oath-taking of the new chief minister because it did not want the province to be functional without a chief minister.