ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned hearing of the case regarding holding of Local Bodies (LB) Election in Punjab, Sindh and Khybar Pakhtonnwa province till March, 3.
The two-member bench of the court headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja resumed hearing of the petitions seeking fresh directions to ECP for holding of municipal elections in three provinces.
At the outset of hearing, Justice Jawwad Khawaja remarked that 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed in 2010 in which Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was strengthen.
He observed that according to Article 219, ECP was responsible to hold general and local bodies' elections.
Article 220 bound all executive authorities, federal and provincial governments to assist ECP for holding elections, he added.
The court observed that provincial governments failed to hold elections in their provinces.
Akram Sheikh Counsel for ECP told the bench that ECP always tried to implement court orders in its true spirit.
Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany remarked that it was constitutional obligation of the ECP to hold elections and the commission has to fulfill this constitutional obligation.
Justice Jawad S. Khawaja asked that are these fruits of 18th constitutional amendment that local government elections have not been held for the last five years.
Akram Sheikh informed court that the provincial authorities are creating hurdles in holding of the polls.
Justice Usmani remarked that no law can stop the election commission from performing its duties.
The court directed the election commission to issue a final schedule of local bodies election to the provinces at the next hearing.
The bench also heard Raja Rab Nawaz petition seeking contempt of court case against the prime minister for not holding municipal elections in the cantonment boards.
The petitioner said that by not holding the LB polls, the PM breached the constitution as well as court orders.
The LB polls have not been held in cantonment areas for the past 15 years.
Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany remarked that the chief executive of the country is responsible for delay in the elections.
Justice Khawaja also remarked that the provincial governments should not further delay the matter of Local Government elections and should come ready with answers during the next hearing on March, 3.
Those provinces which have given their words but do not implement it will face action, he added.
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