Fazl says SC usurps ECP powers by announcing poll dates in Punjab, KP

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Saturday said the apex court has usurped the powers of the Election Commission of Pakistan by announcing the date of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press conference, he said under the Constitution of Pakistan, powers have been divided into state institutions.

Fazl lamented that the CJP formed the bench even before the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 was enacted and that constitutionally, powers are divided, and no institution should interfere in the jurisdiction of others.

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief also pointed out that parliament was the supreme institution of the country, and the chief justice's alleged misconduct had put this institution in a difficult position.

PDM chief said that if there is intervention in every case, they will call it judicial martial law.

Fazl accused that the 2018 elections were rigged that brought Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan into power.

Fazlur Rehman stated that the CJP has taken over the powers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), parliament, and the government, and has even announced the Punjab election schedule, which he believes is the responsibility of the government.

He alleged that a "judicial martial law" has been imposed, stressing that only parliament is responsible for legislation.

He rejected the possibility of negotiating with former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan, stating that he is an "unwanted element" of politics.

He emphasised the need for addressing the current economic situation and called for the government to take necessary steps to alleviate the burden on the people.

Fazlur Rehman also spoke about JUI-F's "Azadi March" during the PTI government's tenure, claiming that former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa's representative, ISI head Lt Gen (retd) Faiz, former Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi, and others negotiated with his team.

He stated that it was decided in those negotiations that assemblies would be dissolved and elections would be held, but after the sit-in ended, they went back on their word and said that no such thing was decided.

The PDM chief expressed disappointment over the situation, stating that people in such responsible posts should uphold their promises, and it was now the responsibility of the institution itself to address such issues.