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SC accepts govt’s schedule for LG polls
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has accepted all the five local bodies (LB) elections’ schedule provided by the government and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in respect of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad and cantonment boards.
The court has ordered for conducting the said polls in KP on May 30 in cantonment boards on April 25, Sindh and Punjab on September 20, and in Islamabad on July 25, 2015 besides directing ECP to inform it about further progress in the matter of LB polls. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has remarked “ time has now come that EC should exercise its powers conferred upon it by the constitution with full force. ECP is a high-powered authoritative institution and it has to hold LB polls as per constitution. It will have to discharge its obligation without caring for any one.
He gave these remarks while presiding over a 3-member bench of SC during the course of hearing of the case Tuesday. Attorney General (AG) Suleman Butt and others appeared in the court. AG told the court that September 20 has been fixed for holding LB polls in Punjab and Sindh. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked “it is beyond my comprehension that EC is the most powerful institution. “You have to exercise your powers. You have not to wait for people. You yourself had created difference of 6 months and it should have been curtailed. Our retired friends are sitting in EC. How could they date of March 2016. Counsel for Punjab said that LB polls could not be held since the last several years in the face of natural calamities. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked “you are saying the calamities will come again too and will do come. If there are any reservations then tell us otherwise we will not allow such matters”.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk