Supreme Court indefinitely adjourns hearing of election case

Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned indefinitely the hearing of the petition seeking simultaneous elections in the country after hearing from all the sides about the prospects of the talks between the government and the opposition.

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial declared that political parties should sit together and find a solution to the issue otherwise the court is there to act.

He remarked the court had proposed political dialogue keeping in view the prevailing situation in the country. “The political atmosphere is bitter,” he said.

The CJP said the court will issue an order.

As the proceedings were set into motion, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan informed the apex court that the first contact between the government and the opposition took place on April 19 and it was decided that a meeting will be held on April 26.

The AGP further said that PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique had met PTI’s Asad Qaiser on April 25, however, the latter said he was not authorised to decide on the matter of talks. The CJP intervened and asked: “After Asad Qaiser’s refusal, was an attempt made to find out who is authorised for the talks?”

Mansoor Awan said despite differences, the government and PTI found a way forward and apprised the court about the committee formed by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani for holding a political dialogue.

The AGP said “The Senate chairman has asked both the government and the opposition to nominate four names each for the committee.” He further said he had found out from the media that PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi was authorised for holding talks with the government