QUETTA: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought a comprehensive report from provincial governments for not holding the local bodies’ election, thereby ignoring a constitutional obligation.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary directed the governments through Chief Secretaries during a hearing of the case over deteriorating law and order situation of Balochistan.
Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary observed that the law and order situation can be improved through socio-economic development.
“There is a gap between the people and the concerned authorities who are responsible for resolving their issues. There would be high crime rate if people are unemployed with no socio-economic activities,” he said.
The Treasury bench asked why the government had failed to hold local bodies’ elections, which play a pivotal role in establishing contact with the common people.
“Earlier a councilor, Nazim and local representatives brought the complaints of common people to the knowledge of concerned authorities and they were well connected but now there is a huge gap between the people and the Government,” CJ observed. “The elections will empower the people.”
The court directed the Chief Secretary to discuss this issue with Chief Minister Balochistan.
Chief Justice further directed that comprehensive statement must be filed by each province to explain why local bodies’ elections are not being conducted despite the lapse of many years.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Mirza: Very respectfully, the point in this simple news item is not army dictators or the historic record of judiciary with regard to constitutional violations. It is simply that by speaking out for a fundamental right of the people (having a local government), the chief of the court system did something right and acted on an issue that has till now been largely ignored. Therefore, his action deserves to be commended and endorsed by the people and the intelligentsia.
Salute to you Chief Justice
@Sameer: Sir, I respectfully ask you, how many actions on the basis of constitution has these same judges taken against any army dictator including Gen Mush? Perhaps it is the "constitutional obligation of generals to mutilate the constitution and the SC to endorse it?" Regards, Mirza
@Tayyab: This is not over stepping boundaries. It is a 'constitutional obligation' of the government to hold these elections. Hence, it is totally within the domain of the court to take action.against them for ignoring this obligation.
@Tayyab: SC has assumed all the rights and political power to make as many political and populist statements as they can. Their actual decisions are nothing to talk about but they have assumed the role of a political party and executive branch of govt for the cheap thrill and fame. M. Mai, Asghar Khan and other poor are still waiting for justice but there is not much political fame from those cases. Only in Pakistan can the SC act as a political party. Thanks and regards, Mirza
No, SC should apologize for murder of ZAB !!! That will solve not only any governance issues but all of the present and future problems :->
A very welcome notice...i think the SC should direct the Provincial Governments to hold the Local Body Elections and this the only way they will do it...
Totally agree with CJ on this. Devolution of power is certainly the need of the hour.
Good omen for actual Democracy. Salute to you CJ Saheb
Honourable Chief Justice:
The day Supreme Court will pass orders to Federal and Provincial Government to hold Local Bodies Elections in the country, the target killings between various political parties will be reduced drastically.
On the other hand, the people will be relieved from the red tape of the bureaucracy and it will also reduce the work load from the Provincial Governments.
I am glad that this comment came from the highest office of judiciary. Not holding Local body elections is almost criminal negligence of the rulers. All over the developed world, there is some form of councilor system. The current rulers are not holding it because they fear that their domination over local politics will be adversely affected.