The Lahore High Court (LHC) is winning praise from the public, especially PTI supporters for directing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to organise by-polls in Punjab within three months.
The LHC on Friday reserved its verdict on a plea filed by the PTI Secretary General Asad Umar seeking a date for by elections in the Punjab province. The verdict – which was eagerly awaited by the public – was announced late Friday.
According to the 16-page short verdict, Justice Hassan stated that the ECP is obligated to conduct the elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly and must issue the election schedule promptly.
“The ECP is directed to immediately announce the date of election of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab with the notification specifying reasons, after consultation with the governor of Punjab, being the constitutional head of the province, to ensure that the elections are held not later than ninety days as per the mandate of the Constitution,” reads the court verdict.
Read more: PML-N welcomes dissolution of Punjab Assembly
Pertinent to mention that the Punjab Assembly was dissolved last month when Parvez Elahi formally advised the governor to dissolve the Punjab Assembly hours after regaining the confidence of a majority of lawmakers. Since then, PML-N government’s political rival PTI, along with a majority of the public, has been demanding elections in Punjab.
However, now it seems that the calls of PTI and the public have finally been heard as LHC directs ECP to hold elections in Punjab within 90 days. The public is hailing the LHC decision, while PTI leaders express their readiness to battle PML-N in the polls. Justice Hassan is also winning praise on Twitter for announcing what is being deemed a “historical verdict”.
“Justice Jawad Hasan honored the Judiciary, the decision of the Lahore High Court is historic, the protection of the Constitution is the primary responsibility of the Judiciary and today’s decision is a victory for the Constitution and the law. The federal government should sit with us and discuss the national election,” PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry said.
آج جسٹس جواد حسن نے عدلیہ کا مان رکھ لیا، لاہور ہائیکورٹ کا فیصلہ تاریخی ہے آئین کا تحفظ عدلیہ کی بنیادی ذمہ داری ہے اور آج کا فیصلہ آئین اور قانون کی فتح ہے وفاقی حکومت ہمارے ساتھ بیٹھے اور قومی الیکشن پر بات چیت کرے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 10, 2023
“Election in 90 days. Now stop running and come to the field,” PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said while challenging PML-N.
Read more: General elections to be held after August 15: Ayaz Sadiq
90 دن میں الیکشن. اب تو بھاگنا چھوڑ دو اور میدان میں آو.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) February 10, 2023
“Justice Jawad passes a remarkable judgment and orders for elections to be held in 90 days. What a historic judgment. It shall be remembered in history as one of the greatest judgments. Truly safeguarded the rights of citizens of Pakistan. Keep it up sir,” renowned lawyer Muhammad Ahmad Pansota said.
Proud to be part of this historic litigation. Justice Jawad Hassan nailed it. Operative part of the judgment:-
“….ECP” is directed to immediately announce the “date of election” of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab with the Notification specifying reasons,….” https://t.co/TQ17KWy2Zn pic.twitter.com/o4ggGcXk1W
— Muhammad Ahmad Pansota (@Pansota1) February 10, 2023