A Tug of War Between Supreme Court and Govt over Punjab Elections

Supreme Court of Pakistan and Govt have locked horns over Punjab and KPK assemblies elections as Supreme Court has ordered to hold elections in Punjab Assembly on 14 May 2023 but the govt is defying the orders of Supreme Court to hold elections.

Parliament has termed the Supreme Court three members bench order as unconditional to hold elections in Punjab on 14 May 2023.

Election Commision of Pakistan has deposited his report to Supreme Court regarding conduct of elections in Punjab Assembly describing his inability to hold free, fair and transparent elections in absence of appropriate funds and security apparatus.

Supreme Court Conduct

Division among Supreme Court judges is evident from their decisions as majority judges' opinion differ  from the three member Bench. 

A great rift is being observed among Supreme Court judges over Soue moto powers of Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Brother judges of Chief Justice of Pakistan termed the soue moto powers of Chief Justice as one man show in their disagreed notes.

Govt passed the Practice and Procedures Bill in the Parliament to clip the powers of Chief Justice of Pakistan regarding soue moto.

In response Supreme Court of Pakistan's eight member Bench put the Practice and Procedures bill on hold even after the approval of President of Pakistan.

Parliament passed resolution in the Parliament and rejected the eight member bench hearing the bill.

Supreme Courts Orders to Relaese 21bn for Punjab Assembly Elections 

After the rejection of supreme court's orders by the parliament to release money to Election Commision of Pakistan for Punjab Assembly Elections, three member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial directly called Secretary Finance,  Governor State Bank for the release of 21bn rupees from Fedral Consolidated Fund but this tactic of Supreme Court also did not work as Parliament did not gave approval to it.

Briefing of DG ISI and DG MO to Supreme Court Judges 

Secretary Defence,  DG ISI and DG MO briefed Chief Justice of Pakistan and two other members of the three member Bench regarding law and order situation and suggested to hold elections on single day rather to hold separate.

A petition was also filed by Defence Ministry to hold elections on single day which was rejected by Supreme Court.

Supreme Court is adamant to hold elections on 14 May and opened way for political parties to extend date of elections by dialogue if they desire.

Parliament is defying all orders of Supreme Court and in result Pakistan is grappled with uncertainty already reeling under highest ever inflation.