Daily Times

A legal challenge has been mounted against the resolution passed in the Senate on Friday to postpone the upcoming elections, as an application for contempt of court proceedings was filed in the Supreme Court on Saturday.

The resolution, passed amid full-fledged preparations for the polls, came as an unexpected development, casting a shadow over the previously settled February 8 election date, which had been established following discussions between the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi.

The resolution, surprisingly passed with low attendance, injected a sense of unpredictability into the electoral process.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, a prominent lawyer, has urged the judiciary to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Senate chairman and its members. He contended that the resolution passed by the Senate falls within the purview of contempt of court, emphasising the need for legal action against the chairman and the members involved.

It was reported that the application has been officially submitted to the Supreme Court, urging a thorough examination of the constitutional validity of the Senate’s decision. Meanwhile, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has taken a strong stance against the Senate’s resolution, submitting a counter-resolution to the Senate Secretariat today. According to Senator Mushtaq, the Senate’s reputation has been tarnished, describing the act of postponing the elections as disrespectful to the institution.

The JI senator contended that the resolution to delay the elections is unconstitutional and contradicts the principles laid out in the Constitution. He asserted that conducting elections is a constitutional obligation entrusted to the caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Additionally, Senator Mushtaq pointed out that the Supreme Court has already issued a decisive ruling on this matter.

The resolution submitted by the JI lawmaker argued that the postponement of the elections, ostensibly due to law and order concerns and adverse weather conditions, is unconstitutional. He condemned the resolution, characterising it as an attempt by undemocratic forces to evade the electoral process. According to Senator Mushtaq, delaying the elections could serve the interests of undemocratic forces, jeopardising the democratic fabric of the nation.

The resolution further warned of potentially grave consequences on the country’s politics, democracy, constitutionalism, unity, and integrity if the elections are postponed. It highlighted the importance of upholding the democratic process and called for a reconsideration of the Senate’s resolution in the best interests of the nation.