ISLAMABAD: In a decisive move, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) concluded all petitions related to holding elections within 90 days and officially announced February 8 as the date for the general elections.
Following the presentation of President Arif Alvi’s consent letter by the Attorney General and PTI lawyer, confirming consensus between the ECP and the Presidency on the February 8 date, the apex court issued a definitive order in the case.
Additionally, the ECP submitted a notification affirming the scheduled general elections on February 8, exercising its powers under Article 57(1) of the Elections Act.
Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa emphasized the importance of the federal and provincial governments adhering to the electoral process without resorting to legal maneuvers, urging a steadfast commitment to upholding the democratic process.
During the proceedings, lawyer Ali Zafar urged the court to include a statement declaring elections as mandatory on February 8. Responding to this, Chief Justice Faiz Isa reassured that the court had already asserted the timely conduct of elections.
The Chief Justice noted unanimous agreement on holding general elections on February 8, directing ECP officials and legal representatives to promptly address any concerns or obstacles in meeting the scheduled elections.
Concluding the proceedings, the court disposed of all petitions related to the 90-day election timeframe, bringing clarity to the electoral landscape.
In a parallel development, the Attorney General had earlier informed the court about the submission of the record of the conversation between President Arif Alvi and ECP chief election commissioner Sultan Sikandar Raja. The hearing on the case related to the 90-day election period was temporarily adjourned for the presentation of these crucial documents.
After a brief hiatus, Election Commission officials presented the meeting minutes and communication records with the President, revealing the proposal of a February 11 date for general elections. The Chief Justice sought assurance of the President’s consensus on the February 8 date and was informed by the Attorney General that the President had provided a separate consent letter.
These developments culminated in a comprehensive resolution of the legal proceedings, providing a clear path for the upcoming general elections in Pakistan.
