On Wednesday, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar highlighted the legal challenges faced by the government after the Supreme Court’s ruling on elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He emphasized that the constitution mandates the need for temporary governments in all provinces to conduct general elections.
During a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, the Law Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, discussed the legal complications for the government resulting from the recent Supreme Court verdict regarding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He emphasized that according to Article 224 of the Constitution, it is a constitutional requirement to have caretaker governments in all provinces for general elections to take place.
The Supreme Court ruled on March 1st, with a 3-2 verdict, that the elections in KP and Punjab should be held within 90 days, despite both provinces having been under caretaker governments since their provincial assemblies were dissolved in January.
Tarar questioned whether PTI chief Imran Khan would accept the results of the elections in the two provinces if they were not in his favor, and expressed concerns about the fairness of the general elections in October if there were already elected governments in place in KP and Punjab.
He believed that the court’s verdict was given in haste, neglected the viewpoints of four judges, and that it was the Election Commission of Pakistan’s responsibility to hold fair and transparent polls under Article 218(3) of the Constitution.
Tarar reiterated that general elections should only be held under caretaker governments countrywide, and warned of legal challenges resulting from the six-month gap between the completion of the respective terms of KP and Punjab elections in case of early elections in two provinces.
Lastly, he urged Imran to accept the election results, regardless of the outcome, and to demonstrate a democratic approach
.
