IHCBA members are split on whether or not elections should be held in K-P and Punjab. The Secretary takes a serious offence to the President’s statement.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) is divided over the filing of a constitutional petition, which asks that the Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governors, as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), be ordered to announce the election date(s) for the two provinces right away.
IHCBA Secretary Saad Ahmad distanced himself from the petition-filing action, claiming that the executive body had not granted its permission.
The IHCBA secretary vehemently disagreed with a statement made by IHCBA President Shoaib Shaheen regarding the petition’s filing.
“We object to this news release,” said the spokesperson.
In a statement, the secretary claimed that the bar associations’ offices had always been extremely motivated to use the political system to bring about beneficial social change, both at the time of its founding and throughout their existence.
“Self-accountability and the determination to persevere in the face of difficulties are prerequisites for activism and parameters of participation in the political process. It does not imply, however, that bar association offices should connect with a specific political party and carry out the platform or goals of its leadership.
“We believe it is appropriate to dispel the impression created by the press release and underline our dedication to continuing to fight for justice and the welfare of Pakistan’s common folks, rather than enabling political parties to fund and support us.
The statement also stated, “Furthermore, it is regrettable to note that neither permission nor this office’s confidence was obtained before the press release was released.
“The undersigned office has chosen to disassociate itself from the news release that was distributed on February 9, 2023 in light of this pretext and background.
Through Abid Zuberi, who is also the head of the Supreme Court Bar Association, the IHCBA president submitted a petition (SCBA). Both attorneys are members of the Hamid Khan Group of the Professional Lawyers Group. This organisation has ties to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The Independent Lawyers Group, also known as the Asma Group, is allied with the PDM-led administration, on the other hand.
The legal discussion on delaying the elections for the Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies has also begun.
“To propose that provincial and federal elections be held concurrently is to disobey the Constitution,” noted eminent attorney Salman Akram Raja.
According to attorney Salahuddin Ahmed, the Constitution does not mandate that provincial and federal elections be held concurrently.
“Judges would have to enact new legislation in order to read such a provision into the Constitution. similar to when they created a statute declaring that votes cast by defectors need not be counted.”
They were also supported by another attorney.
However, he asserted that it has been customary since 1973 to hold the federal and provincial elections concurrently.
“They used to be held on various dates up until 1993. Usually held three days apart, they have been held on the same day since 1997.”
He claimed that rather than being a political or constitutional issue, the current issue is now more of an economic one.
