Elections will be held on time, assures top judge

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday assured that the upcoming general elections, scheduled for summer, will be held on time.

The remarks came during the hearing of a case pertaining to recent directives passed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which has barred recruitment in public institutions, halted development plans approved on April 1, 2018, or later and transfer of funds for ongoing projects ahead of the elections.

ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob informed the court that the notices were issued in light of a 2013 verdict of the apex court wherein the court directed the ECP to organise and conduct elections and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the elections are conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against in terms of Article 218(3) of the Constitution.

“Would it not affect the working government?” Justice Nisar asked and observed that the matter is pending in high courts. He said the Supreme Court did not want to drag an issue that could delay elections. “Polls will be held on prescribed period under the Constitution.”

The court issued a notice to the attorney general of Pakistan and all advocate generals to assist in the issue. The hearing was then adjourned till Tuesday.

In a bid to make the elections transparent, the ECP completely barred public institutions from recruitment AND Issued A notiication that Development plans which were approved on April 1, 2018, such as installation of the gas pipelines, carpeting of roads, water supply schemes and progress on all such development works will be halted and funds issued for the ongoing development works will not be transferred.