FAISALABAD : April 16, 2023: Interior minister , Rana Sanaullah , on Sunday said here come what may there will be no separate elections for the Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhaw (KPK) assemblies in May this year. He ,however , declared that the general elections will be held in the country in one go within this calendar year . The minister hinted at holding general elections in the country in October after completion of 5-year term of the assemblies.
Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) is making desperate efforts to get general elections in the KPK and Punjab held in May this year as announced by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP).
An 8-member SCP bench led by chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) , Umar Atta Bandial , had directed to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in these provinces on May 14,2023.
Shahbaz government is not interested in taking SCP order in this regard in letter and spirit . It argues that holding separate elections in the KPK and Punjab would impact general elections in remaining two provinces and the national assembly. It also believes that holding general elections in two provinces will be wastage of public fund to the tune of Rs 21 billion.
SCP’s controversial bench led by CJP ,however , is not interested in considering any justification given by the government to hold general elections after completion of tenure of the assemblies . Its only consideration is to hold elections in the Punjab on a date fixed by it. No matter how much loss it causes to the country in financial and otherwise terms.
Rana Sanaullah ‘s latest announcement that there will be no seperate elections in the Punjab and KPK is probably meant for SCP’s bench led by CJP.