Pakistan Court Orders Elections in 2 Provinces, a Big Win for Imran Khan

Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that elections in two provinces should go ahead by May 15 despite government reluctance to hold the votes now as it struggles with an economic crisis and a political challenge from the opposition.

Imran Khan, the ousted prime minister, has been pressing for assembly elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces as part of his campaign to force an early general election, which he has been waging since being forced from office a year ago after losing a vote of confidence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan’s demand for an early general election, and his government has supported an election commission decision to postpone voting in the two provinces until October 8.

The commission cited a lack of resources, and the government concurred, stating that it was impossible to organize provincial elections while the country was in the grip of an economic crisis, and with a general election scheduled for early October.

The Supreme Court, however, declared that the delay was unlawful and that voting in the two provinces should take place between April 30 and May 15. Khan’s party applauded the decision, but the government warned that it would cause problems.

“It will exacerbate the country’s crisis,” Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told Reuters.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and its allies had governed in both provinces and had dissolved their legislatures early in the hope of forcing Sharif’s government to accede to their demand for an early general election.

According to a copy of the court’s decision obtained by Reuters, the delay was unconstitutional and unlawful. The provincial assembly election in Punjab, Pakistan’s most prosperous and strategically significant province, is scheduled for May 14.

The court stated that the date of the vote in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be determined later, pending technical problems.

The court also ordered the government to pay the election board 21 billion rupees ($73.17 million) to organize the two provincial elections.

The Supreme Court’s decision also emphasizes the latest clash between the highest court and the government in a nation with a long history of a politically active judiciary. Last week, Parliament introduced a draft legislation to limit the Supreme Court’s powers.

Pakistan ATC court grants relief to Imran Khan in three cases

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday extended the bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in three terrorist cases until April 13.

Khan, who was deposed in April of last year in a no-confidence vote, arrived at the ATC amid tight security as the judges conditioned Khan’s bail on his presence in person.

The former prime minister appeared in court to obtain bail in three cases, including the murder of Zille Shah, arson, and meddling in state affairs.

These cases were filed against the PTI leader at Lahore’s Race Course Police Station under anti-terrorism and aiding and abetting provisions.

These three cases were filed against Khan by the Lahore police in association with clashes between PTI workers and officers during an operation to arrest Khan in the Toshakhana gifts case.

The PMLN-led coalition government has filed over 140 terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and blasphemy charges against the former premier in the last 11 months.

On March 25, the former prime minister stated in his petition for interim bail that he wishes to participate in the inquiry but is afraid of being arrested by police.

The ATC had given Khan bail on surety bonds of Rs100,000 in each case, with the condition that he participate in the investigation and not miss any hearing dates.

Instead of appearing in court today, the PTI chief filed a motion requesting an exemption from an in-person appearance. According to the plea, Khan was present in the provincial capital but was unable to attend due to security concerns.

However, the court ordered Khan’s counsel to ensure that the PTI leader appeared in court by 11 a.m., or else the court would rule on his interim bail petition in accordance with the law.

“Those who appear in court will be granted relief,” the judge stated. He claimed that the PTI chief had not even presented the surety bonds approved in the prior hearing for his bail.

Following the court’s ruling, security at the ATC was increased, with jammer vehicles stationed on-site.

Meanwhile, Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, has asked the judge for security arrangements for the PTI chief’s appearance. Khan’s plea in an administrative judge’s court asked foolproof protection because the court premises were unsafe.

Following the court’s ruling, Khan appeared in person before the judge amid tight security.