'No Contempt Proceedings Against PM If Elections Not Held'

'No Contempt Proceedings Against PM If Elections Not Held'
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Cabinet won't have to face contempt proceedings if they don't implement the top court's verdict in the Punjab election case.

"The premier and the federal ministers fulfilling their duties are protected under the Constitution," analyst Fakhar Durrani said during his podcast on Thursday.

To substantiate his point, he cited various clauses in the Constitution providing immunity to the premier and the ministers.

"If the government succeeds in providing the grounds for the elections delay, it won't face a judicial backlash," Durrani maintained.

For instance, he added, the government could convey to the ECP that it cannot hold the elections as per SC's schedule in view of the deteriorating economy and the volatile security situation of the country.

Earlier today, the National Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the three-judge verdict of the Supreme Court in the Punjab elections case.
In its verdict, the Supreme Court declared the ECP’s decision regarding the postponement of elections in Punjab as null and void. It deemed the election body’s decision to hold elections on October 8 “unconstitutional” and mandated that they take place on May 14 in Punjab.

The resolution – moved by MNA Khalid Magsi – urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ‘not obey the ruling’.

It noted that the demand from different quarters for the constitution of a full-court to hear the case was rejected by the bench.

On Tuesday, the federal cabinet rejected the apex court’s decision, annulling the ECP move to postpone the polls.

In its verdict, the Supreme Court declared the ECP’s decision regarding the postponement of elections in Punjab as null and void.

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and including Justices Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Munib Akhtar, announced the decision.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court deemed the election body’s decision to hold elections on October 8 “unconstitutional” and mandated that they take place on May 14 in Punjab.