SC wants ECP to justify poll delay.

ISLAMABAD -- Asking the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to come prepared to justify its decision to postpone elections to the Punjab Assembly, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Monday observed that the spirit of the Constitution does not envisage the making or breaking of governments, rather focuses on ensuring good governance and bringing happiness to the people by protecting their rights.

At the same time, the CJP also shared his worries regarding the prevailing hostility, animosity, and bitterness which he said had been 'sown into our polity', while questioning the role political leaders were playing to restore peace and calm in society and seeking a 'commitment' from parties in this regard.

Justice Bandial made these obsAeArAvations while heading a five-judge Supreme Court bench that had taken up PTI's petition against the postponement of elections to the Punjab Assembly till October 8.

The bench also consisted of Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.

The petition moved by Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar urged the apex court to set aside the March 22 notification of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for being 'unconstitutional' and 'illegal'. Barrister Zafar described the ECP notification as the '9/11 of Pakistan's ConstiAtution' and asked the SC to order the ECP to hold elections on April 30 as announced by President Dr Arif Alvi in pursuance of the Supreme Court directive issued on March 1.

The court also issued notices to respondents namely Khyber PakAhAtunkhwa (KP) governor, federal secretaries cabinet, parliamentary affairs and law and justice.

When Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Aamir Rehman sought more time so that new Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) be appointed, the CJP told him that the new AGP had already met him and may also be present in the court on Tuesday.

Informed sources later told Dawn that Mansoor Usman Awan had called on the CJP. Mr Awan had been appointed AGP before Shehzad Ata Elahi, but he opted out after his appointment notification was not issued on time.

Election 'flaw' affects fundamental rights

During the hearing, CJP Bandial said timely elections held honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law were crucial for the democratic system of government mandated by constitution. Any flaw, deficiency or failing in the holding of general elections was, prima facie, a matter of public importance that...