PTI pins its hopes on three CJs

Next two months crucial for party in terms of judicial decisions

ISLAMABAD:

As the PTI is crying foul on the executive actions against their party leaders as well as the delay in the elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, the role of three chief justices will be crucial in the next couple of months.

Under the law, every chief justice is the master of the roster and has a discretionary power in the fixation of cases.

As the PTI leaders and its activists are facing a tough time from the executive authorities, the party is eyeing its hope on three chief justices -- CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ameer Bhatti and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to acquire relief in matters related to violation of human rights as well as the delay in elections in the two provinces.

CJP Bandial has already taken notice of the delay in the elections in Punjab and K-P.

Despite the judges' internal controversies, CJP Bandial has passed directions to announce the date of elections in the two provinces.

President Dr Arif Alvi, who belongs to the PTI, has given a date to hold elections in Punjab.

Likewise, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has given a schedule for the Punjab polls.

However, the K-P governor has not announced the date of elections in his province. The PTI has filed a contempt petition against him.

However, uncertainty still remains as whether or not elections in Punjab will be held on April 30 as scheduled.

The executive authorities are reluctant to hold elections in both the provinces.

The federal government is giving excuses not to set aside nearly Rs60 billion needed for holding the elections -- and it is actually facing a shortage of funds in the current year.

A government official said in case of a supplementary grant, parliament has to pass a bill -- an unlikely development in the prevailing situation.

Now all eyes are on CJP Bandial as to whether or not he will compel the government to arrange the funds for the elections as well as provide them with security.

The PTI is willing to talk with political parties to hold the elections for the National and provincial assemblies on one date.

Recently, PTI chief and deposed premier Imran Khan wrote two letters to CJP Bandial for taking notice of the issues related to civil liberties faced by him and other party leaders.

With the PTI leaders facing a tough time at the hands of the ‘powerful circles’, a debate has started whether or not CJP Bandial would give relief to the party in the next couple of months.

Justice Bandial is himself facing internal challenges within the institution.

First, the Supreme Court judges are divided on ideological lines.

Secondly, audio leaks are being released to indulge a few SC judges.

It is witnessed that one section of the judiciary is facing immense pressure from both inside and outside after the release of their video and audio recordings.

Superior bars, wherein the Independent Lawyers Group is in majority, are also accusing the CJP of protecting one SC judge, who is facing allegations of “favouring” the PTI.

The Professional Lawyers Group is silent in the prevailing situation. Although a few representatives of this group are backing the SC judge.

All matters related to the eligibility of Imran will ultimately land in the IHC.

A debate has also started as how IHC CJ Farooq would deal with these matters.

In comparison with former IHC CJ Athar Minallah, the PTI is unable to acquire relief in matters related to civil liberties during Justice Farooq's tenure as the chief justice of the high court.

However, a PTI lawyer said the party had managed to obtain some relief from the IHC in the last couple of weeks.

“This is a positive development for the PTI,” he added.

The PTI is also facing a difficult time because of the caretaker government of Punjab.

The party has so far to managed to acquire some relief from the LHC since the last one year.

It is not yet clear as whether or not the PTI will continue to obtain relief from the LHC in the next couple of months.