During Supreme Court election hearing, CJP offered to cut pays of Judges to conduct important elections of Punjab and KPK.
He passed these remarks during hearing of PTI‘s petition challenging ECP’s decision to postpone Elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A five-member larger bench – is headed by of Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial. The bench also includes Hon’ble Justices Munib Akhtar, Ijazul Ahsan, Aminuddin Khan and Jamal Mandokhail.
In a surprise move on 22nd of March, ECP moved election date from 30th April to 8th of October. Election Commission stated that elections are not possible because of lack of finances and security personnel. Security conditions due to new wave of terrorism is also a cause of postponing elections in the country.
During Supreme Court election hearing, CJP also stated that according to section 58, ECP has no authority to postpone elections. Once date has been announced elections cannot be postponed unless emergency has been declared in the country.
On Monday, Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Mandokhail cast doubt on the judgement handed down in the 1st March suo motu regarding elections in KPK and Punjab. They said that the proceedings stood dismissed by a majority of 4-3. They also contended that the CJP does not have power to restructure benches without the consent of the respective judges.
He also said that if ECP can delay elections for 6 months then they can also do the same for 6 months.
Justice Ahsan questioned that how can ECP be sure that conditions for election will be suitable on 8th of October.
