ISLAMABAD (Daily Point) — In a decisive move to ensure the timely conduct of the much-awaited general electionsThe Supreme Court (SC) suspended a Lahore High Court (LHC) order on Friday evening, allowing the polls to proceed on February 8—a key demand from political stakeholders and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and including Justice Sardar Tariq and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, addressed the appeal filed by the ECP against the LHC order, which had halted the training of district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs).
CJP Isa emphasized the ECP’s responsibility, stating, “The election commission should do its job […] we will not micromanage you,” stressing that there should be no impediment to holding the elections now.
In its ruling on the ECP’s petition, the three-member SC bench decreed that the LHC would refrain from further hearings on petitions related to the appointment of polling officers. Any matters regarding this issue should now be referred to the Supreme Court.
The LHC’s decision, prompted by a plea from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Umair Niazi, had suspended the ECP’s decision to appoint ROs and DROs from the executive branch. The single-member LHC bench then forwarded the matter to the chief justice, advocating the formation of a larger bench for further deliberation. However, following the SC’s intervention, the issue will no longer be entertained in the high court, as the petitions have been declared “non-maintainable.”
During the reading of the order, CJP Isa also issued a contempt of court notice to the PTI lawyer, seeking an explanation for potential proceedings against him.
Regarding the hearing’s commencement, CJP Isa clarified that the benches were constituted under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, expressing a preference for the involvement of senior-most judges. However, due to engagements, Justice Ijazul Ahsan could not participate, leading to the inclusion of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.
CJP Isa questioned ECP’s lawyer Sajeel Swati about the urgency of appearing before the court at that hour. Swati responded, stating, “Our petition regarding the February 8 elections needed to be heard today.”
