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Lahore, Governor of Punjab Baligh ur Rahman recently told LHC that announcement regarding upcoming elections is not his responsibility, even after the dissolution of the assembly takes place, the announcement is not in his hands.
He said this in a response to the Lahore High Court’s query.
“It is emphatically denied that the Governor, acting on the advice of the Chief Minister, was in any way obliged to set a date for elections when he had not dissolved the Assembly’’
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Governor Rehman gave a detailed eight-page response in which he clearly denied all allegations of
“Creating any hurdles in the way of the Election Commission of Pakistan to discharge its duties” and forcefully stated that these claims are “fallacious.”
He further added that he is committed to ensuring a free and fair electoral process in the country.
The High Court of Pakistan is hearing petitions filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a private citizen named Munir Ahmed, both requesting dates for the upcoming general elections in the province of Punjab. The petitions were filed after the Governor refused to act upon the Election Commission’s letter which requested the same.
Governor Rehman urged the court to dismiss the PTI petition with a penalty. He said that any failure on his part to abide by the law and the Constitution would not be seen as he is faithfully carrying out his duties as prescribed by the law and the Constitution.
During the hearing, PTI counsel Ali Zafar argued that even if (ECP) and the Governor are unable to set a date for the upcoming elections, the President still holds the authority to set the election date. He stated that it is crucial that the polls must take place before April 13, with the only question being when to hold them.
He also put forward his request to form a large bench to ensure proper on-time hearing of the case.
In response, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s counsel requested to grant additional time to provide a response, citing their recent appointment as the reason they need some time to review court orders concerning the proposed election date.
“Securing free and fair elections is our foremost priority. However, the decision of when to hold the elections lies with the Governor,” they stated.
The PTI counsel insisted that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is constitutionally obligated to hold elections under Article 218 and that if the ECP refuses to do so, the President of Pakistan has the authority to appoint a date. It was countered by Justice Jawwad stating that the President is not a party in this case.
