SC postpones hearing for simultaneous elections case

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial Friday postponed the hearing for the case of simultaneous elections in Pakistan, GNN reported.

According to details, three-member bench headed by CJP Bandial comprising of Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar heard the case.

Chief justice said: “We will issue an appropriate verdict,” without mentioning any time or date to announce the decision.

He remarked that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and government are not interested in negotiations.

The court questioned is the application of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is hearable or not. CJP said that the application of government was received in the morning today and was heard instantly.

While talking to Transport Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Atta Bandial said that no one except you seems to be serious or interested of the elections.

“Court just needs to see if a date for simultaneous elections can be agreed upon or not,” he remarked.

Earlier today, government negotiations team supervisor and federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar ahd submitted the report of negotiations with PTI to Supreme Court.

The report stated that coalition government and PTI have agreed to hold election on same date in the country.

Report also said: “Government is ready to initiate the process of elections in the best interest of the coutnry as PTI agreed to hold elections on same date”. They continued that it is a positive development in the process of elections.

However, both parties could not agree upon the date to dissolve national and other assemblies.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government have showed flexibility in negotiations and have also considered to dissolve the assemblies before the said time.