PDM stages protest near Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered that general elections for the Punjab Assembly, scheduled for May 14, could not be implemented. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Umar Atta Bandial, together with Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Muneeb Akhtar, will hear the review request of the Election Commission on the decision of elections in New Punjab. The Express Tribune has reported that the reduction of the full court or larger bench is still a viable option to end the election dispute. The PDM has raised several objections to the three-member bench and is insisting on a 3-4 decision. Lawyers are also divided on this.

To resolve this dispute, senior lawyers have suggested that the Chief Justice should reduce the full court or Monday and the jury bench. If the court gives a verdict in favor of Muhammad, the government will have no choice but to comply. Akhtar Hussain, a member of the Pakistan Bar Council in the Judicial Commission, has said that the full court could resolve the dispute. He has also rejected PDM’s decision to protest before the Supreme Court.

The ANP has said that it will soon call for a protest outside the Supreme Court if the attitude of the Chief Justice does not change. The party has announced that its leaders will participate in the PDM protest. After the protest, the ANP will also announce its action plan.

The Qaumi Watan Party has decided to fully participate in the PDM protest. The main convoy of the Qaumi Watan Party will leave Peshawar today at 9 o’clock under the leadership of Sikandar Sherpao. Party chief Aftab Sherpao has given a message to all the workers to fully participate in the protest.

According to sources of Muslim League (N), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has requested Maulana Fazlur Rehman, through a message, that he must protest but change the venue. However, there has been no response from Maulana Fazlur Rehman or the PDM regarding this request.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Provincial Amir Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman led the caravans today at 10 o’clock in the morning from Kallah interchange to reach Islamabad in the form of caravans. MSF workers will be deployed as volunteers for security. The PML-N has submitted a request for permission to sit outside the Supreme Court to the district administration. JUI Senator Kamran Murtani has also applied to the district administration to protest outside the Supreme Court. The convoy of the Muslim League (N) will participate in the protest under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz.