Supreme Court sends notice to ECP over delay in Punjab polls.

ISLAMABAD -- Issuing notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for dragging feet on polls in Punjab, the Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday sought guarantees from the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to bury the hatchet for free, fair, and transparent elections.

These developments came to the fore during the hearing of the plea regarding the date for general elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today (Monday).

A five-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, heard the plea. The court also issued notices to governors of two provinces through the chief secretary.

'The court only needs assurance from both sides. The elections should be peaceful, transparent, and fair. If the government and PTI want elections, they have to give assurances,' Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said.

He added the parties would decide what those assurances would be like not the court.

'The parties should evaluate what is and what isn't good for the public. Pakistan's Constitution was not made for only setting up or toppling the governments,' he remarked suggesting it was more than that.

The SC's top judge said that the Constitution was interpreted while keeping the life and happiness of people in mind.

'The current situation is alarming. Elections can only be held when the conditions are favourable,' he said and insisted that one could not run away from the facts.

The chief justice maintained that the country's atmosphere had turned poisonous due to political intolerance. 'The present political situation is terrible. Politicians are at each other's throats,' he said.

Justice Bandial asked both the government and the Imran Khan-led party to decide what is best for Pakistan.

Sharing his remarks regarding the ECP, the top judge said that it was merely an institution. 'The election commission requires facilitation and support for [conducting] polls.'

Apart from sending notices to all parties mentioned in the PTI's plea, the apex court has also sent a notice to the governors of both provinces through chief secretaries.

The chief justice remarked that polls were essential for the functioning of the country's governance system. 'The election process should be transparent and peaceful. Article 218 calls for transparency of elections.'

Justice Bandial also questioned the performance of leaders in the country. 'What have our leaders done so far?'

PTI's counsel Barrister Ali Zafar, during his arguments, said that...