ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, a resolution was passed by the National Assembly rejecting the decision made by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court regarding the delay of Punjab elections.
The apex court had ruled on April 4 that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to postpone the elections in Punjab from April 30 to October 8 was “unconstitutional, without lawful authority or jurisdiction, void ab-initio, [and] of no legal effect”.
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The Prime Minister expressed his disapproval of the decision during a cabinet meeting and called it a “mockery of the Constitution and law” that cannot be implemented.
The National Assembly echoed this sentiment today by passing a resolution against the Supreme Court’s ruling and urging the Prime Minister to disregard it. Balochistan Awami Party legislator Khalid Magsi moved the resolution on the floor of the house.
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“This house rejects the minority decision of the three-member bench and binds the prime minister and the cabinet not to implement the unconstitutional and unlawful decision,” Magsi said as he read out the resolution.
According to the resolution passed by the National Assembly, the house believes that conducting general elections simultaneously across the country is the key to resolving all problems, in line with the established procedures set out in the law and Constitution, and essential for achieving political and economic stability.
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The resolution expressed concern about the “interference in political matters,” stating that the judgments of a “minority” are causing chaos in the country and leading to division in the federating units.
Additionally, the resolution raised concerns about the incorrect interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution and called for the formation of a full court of the Supreme Court to review it.
The Prime Minister was present during the proceedings but left soon after the resolution was passed.
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Prior to the passage of the resolution, members of the National Assembly took turns criticizing both the Supreme Court and the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan.
