As the Supreme Court’s deadline to the political parties to evolve a consensus on the date for holding simultaneous general elections in the country entered its last day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned separate meetings of the federal cabinet and the ruling coalition today to discuss the matter.
Separate meetings of the federal cabinet, PML-N’s parliamentary party, and allied ruling parties are scheduled to take place today, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presiding over the meetings.
Sources said Prime Minister Sharif will first chair a meeting of parliamentary leaders of ruling coalition parties. The meeting is expected to hold detailed consultations on the country’s political situation.
PM to consult alliance leaders on talks with PTI, sources Islamabad, the participants of the meeting will also consider the court case in detail A strategy will also be made on the issue of the alleged audio leak of the Chief Justice’s mother-in-law The impact of the expected decision on the election, Islamabad, will also be examined Islamabad, the meeting of the federal cabinet under the chairmanship of the prime minister will be held at 2:30 pm Islamabad, the future course of action will be decided in both the important meetings
The meeting of coalition parties will also be held today in the afternoon at the Prime Minister’s House, while the meeting of the parliamentary party has also been called for today.
On Tuesday, PM Sharif held consultations with political and legal experts from the PML-N in Lahore regarding the petition being heard in the Supreme Court to hold elections on the same day.
He also discussed the current political and constitutional situation of the country with the party leaders and on today’s meeting with the allies.
Sources said federal ministers Khawaja Saad Rafique, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Azam Nazeer Tarar, special assistants Malik Ahmed Khan and Ahad Cheema were among those who attended the meeting.
On the other hand, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan gave a briefing to the prime minister regarding the Supreme Court case. Sources said the agenda for the meeting of allies has been finalised, while the decision to negotiate with the PTI or not will be taken in the meeting of allies.
Meanwhile, a formal decision on boycotting or becoming a party in the Supreme Court case on polls will also be made in today’s meeting
A meeting of the representatives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was also held on the ongoing political turmoil.
The two parties agreed to make the negotiations process fruitful.
The meeting was held in the office of JI Secretary General Ameer-ul-Azim in Garden Town. PTI leader Senator Ejaz Chaudhary and Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid participated in the meeting. Jamaat-e-Islami was represented by Ameer-ul-Azeem and Farid Paracha.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi held an informal meeting with the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the residence of former defense minister Pervaiz Khattak.
The former Punjab chief minister visited Mr Khattak’s residence to offer condolences on the death of his wife. Former federal minister Moonis Elahi also conveyed condolences over the phone.
During the informal meeting, Elahi and Ayaz Sadiq were seen whispering to each other.
The ongoing political impasse was the topic of discussion among the political figures, with Saad Rafique telling Asad Qaiser that they were in contact with him, but they have heard that the PTI has changed the representative.
The Supreme Court had on April 20 asked all political leaders to initiate negotiations on elections that very day, and update it on the progress by 4pm, however, after in-chamber consultations, the CJP adjourned the hearing till April 27.
The apex court had resumed hearing a petition filed by the Defense Ministry to hold general elections simultaneously across the country.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, took up the matter.
The CJP remarked that the elections can be held after Eidul Azha in July. It is expected that Maulana Fazlur Rehman will show some flexibility, the CJP said, adding the court will not withdraw its May 14 decision.
Earlier, Supreme Court while declaring the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to delay the assembly elections in two provinces as “unconstitutional”, had ordered the government to hold snap polls in the Punjab on May 14.
The court’s verdict followed a petition filed by the PTI party.
Imran Khan’s party had contested the ECP’s decision to postpone the Punjab elections from April 30 to October 8 after the government declined to allocate funds for the polls, citing the ongoing economic crisis.
As SC deadline nears, PM Shehbaz to meet allies today
