Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Fawad Chaudhry criticized the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not holding a meeting related to general elections in Punjab today (Sunday) despite court orders.
Fawad said in his tweet that the Election Commission should have held a meeting today for the election, the constitution and court orders should not be mocked.
Further criticizing the commission, Fawad claimed that the “common perception” is that since the ECP is made up of “munshis” (clerks or personal assistants), it will not hold provincial elections like in Islamabad.
“This tinkering with the constitution will cost the country dearly,” warned the former information minister.
Fawad told the ECP that the Constitution is the only consensual document and if it is also “trampled”, the state of Pakistan will be in grave danger.
The PTI leader said that enough is enough, our movement is ready for the supremacy of the Constitution. This movement will start from Jail Bharo [Movement] and will continue till the restoration of the Constitution.
ہمارے پاس آئین ہی متفقہ دستاویز ہے اگر آئین کو بھی روند دیا گیا تو پاکستان کی ریاست شدید خطرات کا شکار ہو جائیگی ، بہت ہو گیا آئین کی بالادستی کیلئے ہماری تحریک بالکل تیار ہے جیل بھرو سے اس تحریک کا آغاز ہو گا اور آئین کی بحالی تک تحریک جاری رہے گی
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 12, 2023
It may be noted that on February 6, PTI Chairman Imran Khan had announced the “Jeel Bharo” (Jail Bharo) movement in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the delay in announcing the election schedule.
“If elections are not held within 90 days, we will launch a Jail Bharo movement,” Khan had warned.
ECP will discuss decision of LHC regarding election tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the ECP has called a special meeting on Monday to discuss the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) to hold elections in Punjab in 90 days.
According to a brief statement issued by the commission, a special meeting has been called at its secretariat in light of the Lahore High Court’s decision to hold elections in Punjab.
The statement said that in view of the court decision, future plans and implementation will be discussed.
LHC ordered ECP to hold elections in Punjab within 90 days.
On Friday, the Lahore High Court had directed the ECP to hold elections in Punjab within 90 days.
Delivering the reserved judgment, Justice Jawad Hassan allowed the request of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and asked the electoral body to conduct the elections within the constitutional limits.
PTI approached the High Court after repeatedly demanding the Election Commission to release the dates of elections in Punjab. The party dissolved the provincial assembly on January 14.
“…The ECP is directed to announce the date of the elections to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab immediately with a notification, after consultation with the Governor of Punjab, as the constitutional head of the province, that “to ensure that the elections are held. Not more than ninety days as mandated by the Constitution,” the judgment read.
