The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that re-election for the Punjab chief minister’s slot will be held on July 22 after the rival parties — PML-N, PML-Q and PTI — reached consensus on the matter.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan.
However, both Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi appeared satisfied with the decision.
CM Hamza said he accepts the decision of SC while Speaker Elahi termed it “victory of democracy”.
The CM Hamza said he had numerical majority in the house and was ready for recount or the second poll. Speaker Elahi said Hamza had no majority in the house and he wanted to take advantage of the situation.
Earlier, the SC had summoned Hamza and Elahi in person to find out whether the parties were in a position to reach a consensus.
Hamza and Elahi reached at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry and attended the proceedings through video link.
Initially, there was a deadlock between Elahi and Hamza over whether or not the CM would remain.
Read Vote recount for Punjab CM contest ordered
Elahi said there should be sufficient time to hold the election, some of their members were out of the country.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked Elahi if Hamza was not CM who would handle the matters of province.
“If the parties don’t reach a consensus, the court will see the matter in light of the Constitution,”
Justice Ahsan added.
Elahi replied that he could trust Hamza in the ongoing situation.
Later, Elahi said if Hamza wanted to stay as the CM till July 17, then he can uses his powers.
“He will not register forged cases or harass our MPAs and no transfers and postings will take place,” he added.
To this, PTI counsel Babar Awan requested the court to pass orders for conducting free and fair election.
However, he continued arguing that the time should be granted to them.
He sought at least seven days for holding a run-off election.
CJP Bandial observed that three to five days would be appropriate for the run-off election. “There are two options – either conduct run-off elections in two days or Hamza will remain the CM till July 17.”
Justice Ahsan observed that there were two options – first the parties reach a consensus and other is re-election.
“Meanwhile, your members will return after performing Hajj. Justice Ahsan ordered to resolve the issue of notification of five members through the legal procedure to elect the CM.
Later, Elahi said to postpone the election to 17 July.
On court’s instruction , Hamza said nobody is more important and system will work in smooth manner.
“I have the sufficient number of the MPAs. I am ready to encounter if court orders.
The three-judge bench adjourned proceedings for a while to consult the matter within the parties after they could not reach a consensus.
CM Hamza and PML-N’s lawmakers assembled at the deputy registrar’s room while Elahi and his lawmakers sat in the bar room to decide what the future course of action would be.
After the interval, Elahi agreed saying he had no objection if Hamza remained the chief minister till the by-elections, but his grievances should be addressed.
Hamza assures court
“Hamza Shehbaz Sahib, do you intend to commit rigging in the election,” CJ Bandial asked the PML-N leader after the PTI alleged that the provincial government was planning to rig the upcoming by-polls in the province.
He apprised the bench that his government would ensure free and transparent by-elections and rejected the PTI’s allegation of rigging.
Hamza said the SC verdict on Punjab CM poll was acceptable, people were free to vote.
“If I did not have the required numbers for run-off election then I would have left the office of the chief minister,” he added.
Speaking about the PTI’s allegations of using state machinery in the elections, Hamza said it did not suit the PTI and the PML-Q to speak about “harassment”.
“You know how they attacked the deputy speaker and what they did to the PML-N leaders while in government but they still have the audacity to speak about victimization.”
“We will not take revenge but will act as per the law,” he remarked.