The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to proceed with the second phase of the local government elections in Sindh as per the schedule announced by the election watchdog last month.
In July, the ECP announced that the second phase of the polls had been postponed due to possible monsoon rains in the province in addition to Muharram. The polls were supposed to be held on July 24, but after the change in date, they would now take place on August 28.
A three-judge bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial asked the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to take the issue of the delimitation of constituencies to the relevant forum.
Meanwhile, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader also requested the bench not to pass any order which could delay the LG elections in Karachi. The counsel representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Salahuddin Ahmed, also supported the timely LG elections.
It may be noted that the MQM-P had sought a restraining order from the top court against the second phase of the local elections in Sindh.
In June, the Sindh High Court rejected pleas filed by major political parties, including the MQM-P to delay the local government elections.
The SHC, while rejecting the plea to halt elections, had directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold the polls in the province as per the schedule.
