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ECP Has No Powers Or Law That It Could Extend Elections Date: SC

Islamabad: Supreme Court Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandiyal said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) don’t have such powers to change the election dates adding that the country has been facing the problem of the terrorism since decade of 90’s while the elections in the country were held despite martyrdom of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, then chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

CJP Bandial is heading the five-member larger bench hearing the plea. Apart from the CJP, the bench includes Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.

The PTI counsel Ali Zafar concluding his arguments said that if the elections were delayed then crisis will be extended.

The CJ said that there is violence and intolerance rampant in the country adding that the people are in queue to receive flour bags as far as economic conditions of the country is concerned.

Honourable CJ urged the politicians to not go in scuffle with each other instead they should thing about the people.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail said that the constitution is quite over who can change the elections date, on which the parliament should conduct amendment.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar said that he has read the PM statement in the newspaper that the government has collected Rs 500 billion tax in month of February this year while expressed astonishment that despite this Rs 20 billion were not given for elections.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail said that the ECP can approach Islamabad High Court (IHC) but it placed the ball in the court of the federal government.

The CJ apprised elections are being held in Turkey everywhere except the areas effected by the earthquake adding that for the first time the court is reviewing the postponement of elections.’

Attorney General in his arguments said that the verdict of the ECP has been challenged for Punjab only whereas the matter of the governor KP is challenged separately.
Justice Muneeb Akhtar remarked that saving the province from internal and external dangers is the responsibility of the federation. The government estimated Rs 170 billion for taking loan from the IMF. Questioning that can’t additional Rs 20 billion be taken.

Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan said that the matter is of preferences, a Rs 10 billion can be given for lap top scheme why did’nt Rs 20 billion for holding of the elections.

Attorney General apprised that defense ministry refused to give army owing to security situation, to which, Justice Muneeb Akhtar said that martyrs are asset of the soil and what an individual can do bigger than this that sacrifice his life. Referring to the Attorney General he said that do you think that the nation is hostage in the hands of terrorists, so the country has become a banana republic. He said that the army is under the government how they can say that they can’t provide security.

The CJ remarked that transportation of the army also bears expenditure adding that the country has been plaguing the problem of terrorism since 1990’s while many leaders lost their lives despite that elections were held while the elections were also held after the second world war.

He said that the ECP did’nt have any authority or law so that it could extend the elections date adding that the ECP recent verdict was written in haste.

The court adjourned the hearing till 11:30 am tomorrow.