SC may reschedule LB polls: Justice Khawaja

A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja conducted hearing of local bodies election case in Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked that no reason is present to delay proposed LB polls schedule of Election Commission (EC). He said that LB polls are difficult to conduct but it is a truth that from the past six years the elections are not meeting their constitutional requirements. He stated that SC is ready to change the date of the election if necessary. Punjab has accepted its failure but Sindh is not ready to take responsibility.

Sindh government's lawyer Fatah Malik stated that we are also ready to apologize whereas the failure to conduct LB polls is the short- coming of the politicians. He also argued that it is very difficult to hold the elections in Sindh.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said that Sindh government should tender an apology to the public if they have realized their mistake. While citing the example of Iran, he said that the neighbouring country held two elections in state of war. EC's lawyer stated that the court should also keep in view the situation that had arisen after the resignations of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). He said that acceptance of the resignations will increase the duties of EC.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja while responding to his statement stated that the court has nothing to do with this. However; the government and EC should clarify their stance that whether or not they want to empower the public financially, politically and administratively.