'Deepening crisis': Govt, opp react to SC polls verdict

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Tuesday celebrated the Supreme Court's (SC) decision declaring the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to delay the Punjab elections "null and void", while the coalition government criticised it.

Earlier today, a three-member SC bench hearing the PTI petition challenging the delay in Punjab polls "nullified" the ECP's decision, declaring it "unconstitutional".

The apex court announced that general elections of the Punjab Assembly would be held on May 14.

Following the announcement, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that today marks "the most important day in the political history of Pakistan".

Speaking to media outside the SC, he said that the nation is proud that those who make decisions based on the Constitution and conscience are still alive today.

"Today, the Supreme Court has buried the doctrine of necessity forever," he said adding that "the difference between democratic, constitutional forces and non-democratic, unconstitutional forces has become clear today".

"I congratulate the black-coated lawyers across the country for coming out for the supremacy of the Constitution," said the PTI leader.

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In a tweet, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said that the "attempt to deviate from the constitution" and the doctrine of necessity has been rejected.

PTI leader Shireen Mazari also upheld the verdict and maintained that the "constitution stands reaffirmed" by the SC.

"[The] election schedule, with [a] minor adjustment for 13 days wasted by [the] ECP, stands valid," she tweeted.

The PTI leader added that the Election Commission's decision on March 22 to delay the Punjab elections "had no basis in [the] constitution and the law," and that the ECP's "shenanigans stand exposed yet again".

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem said that the "historic decision of the Supreme Court is a victory for the Constitution and democracy."

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He furthered that "the entire nation pays tribute to the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court for establishing the supremacy of the Constitution".

Govt against SC verdict

Criticising the apex court's decision, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reiterated its demand for a formation of a full court.

In a tweet, the PML-N said that the country will be run by its elected representatives and its elected representatives are saying that a full court should be formed.

In a presser, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the coalition government was “absolutely clear” in their stance against “how the SC is being run” as he predicted that the latest ruling over Punjab polls would only worsen the political crisis the country faces.

He regretted the decision of the three-member bench saying that a full court should have presided over the proceedings.

It is pertinent to note that on Monday, during the hearing of the case, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial had suggested that the government could request the formation of a larger bench, not a full court.

Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said that "the decision of the three-member bench seems to deepen the constitutional and political crisis."

He maintained that "the internal division of the Supreme Court is very unfortunate."

Meanwhile, lawyers held a protest against the top court's ruling nullifying the ECP's decision to delay the Punjab Assembly elections.

Crowds chanted slogans refusing to accept the SC's decision. "We reject [a] one-man show," read a poster held by a woman during the protest.

A day earlier, fearing the SC decision to be in favour of the PTI, Tarar had warned that the government would not accept if the top court delivers its verdict on a sensitive and important issue in haste.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, the law minister had said that the entire nation was waiting for the top court’s decision and categorically stated that any hasty decision on such a sensitive issue would be rejected.