Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday proposed a cut from his and other judges’ salaries for funding elections.
The Supreme Court’s (SC) five-member bench headed by CJP Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail resumed hearing on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plea concerning polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) which were delayed by the electoral watchdog citing law and order situation.
Ahead of today’s hearing, the coalition parties — PML-N, PPP and JUI-F — submitted a request in the court to become respondents in the case.
The apex court had issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), KP governor, and federal government, directing them to submit their response.
Today’s hearing
During the hearing, the CJP remarked that democracy cannot function without the rule of law, adding that the rise in political temperature will only increase problems.
CJP Bandial welcomed the new Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Usman Awan in the court and said that he expected to get the best assistance from him.
The top judge categorically said that they did not want to prolong the proceedings.
He stated that the simple question was whether the election commission can advance the election date or not.
CJP said that the matter would be over if it is the discretion of the electoral watchdog.
He added that the opinion of two judges in the top court’s verdict in suo moto elections case was irrelevant in the matter under adjudication.
AGP Awan raised questions over the maintainability of the PTI’s petition.
