ISLAMABAD: As the impasse over the delay of elections continues, despite directives from the apex court to initiate a dialogue among political parties to decide on a date for polls, no concrete progress has been made, leaving the fate of the electoral process hanging in the balance.
To end the uncertainty, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has resumed again the elections delay suo moto case.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar has resumed hearing.
After a brief hearing, the SCP announced completion of the hearing. The chief justice said the court will issue an appropriate order, and is not issuing any directions or timeline regarding negotiations.
Farooq H Naek told the court the Senate chairman is only facilitating talks, which will be held between political leaders.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the court that no one established any contacts with the PTI or him. “PTI has nominated me, Fawad Chaudhry and Ali Zafar for negotiations,” he added.
The formation of the Senate committee is only a delaying tactic, Qureshi remarked. “If the government is serious, we are ready to hold negotiations,” he stated, adding the PTI is serious about talks and ready to sit down even today.
Farooq Naek told the court the government’s nominees for the Senate committee will be finalized in 3-4 hours.
Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan apprised the court that on April 25, PML-N leaders Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique met with PTI leader Asad Qaiser. The latter told the government team he was not authorized to negotiate.
Two coalition parties had objected to holding negotiations, but a way forward was found, the AGP said, adding the Senate chairman wrote letters to the government and opposition members in the Upper House seeking four nominees each for a mediation committee.
On being asked by the CJP, Awan said they found out from the media on Tuesday that Shah Mahmood Qureshi is authorized to negotiate.
The chief justice said if the government was serious it would have taken steps itself, adding the Senate chairman is neither a representative of the government nor the opposition.
He further said the court cannot force anyone to hold negotiations, adding it only wants implementation of the Constitution. He said the court does not want justifications, but a solution.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summoned Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to discuss legal matters before the all-important hearing.
The prime minister also met with the government’s legal team, where Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and the attorney general briefed the PM, sources said.
Government sources said the court will be apprised of the progress in negotiations among political stakeholders, as well as about the Senate chairman’s proposal for a mediation and parliamentary committee.
The National Assembly’s refusal to provide funds will again be placed before the court, the sources added.
Read more: Bill limiting CJP powers become law on April 20: Tarar
