CJP takes suo motu notice of delay in elections in Punjab, KPK

Islamabad:  Chief Justice of  Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial took suo motu notice regarding the by-polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The CJ took notice on the note received from the Registrar office.

The top judge constituted a nine-member bench for hearing of the matter on Monday (tomorrow).

“It has been brought to my knowledge that it is over more than a month that provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dissolved,” observed Chief Justice Bandial.

According to the latest reports, Chief Justice Bandial would head the nine-member larger bench for hearing of the matter.

The Constitution has guaranteed conduct of by-polls within 90 days after dissolution of the assemblies.

The PTI leaders welcomed the suo motu notice taken by the CJP and said that it was a good step because holding elections in the Punjab and KPK was constitutional demand.

“I hope that the top court will timely decide this matter,” said PTI leader Fawad Chaudhary.  Responding to question whether the PTI would accept whatever the decision was announced by the Supreme Court, Fawad Chaudhary said that they would accept the decision because there was no other choice.

He said, “There was a big constitutional crisis in the country,”.

Senior lawyer Babar Awan said that the suo motu is a good step to deal with the matter.

“If federation refuses to provide resources then it is nothing but problematic. But luckily the matter has now gone to the Supreme Court and now there will be a binding judgment,” said Babar Awan while commenting on the suo motu notice.

He termed it a “good development” because this matter now would be settled.