SC says verdict on holding Punjab polls on May 14 ‘remains unchanged,

Islamabad_Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday maintained the verdict it had issued to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.

In a three-page verdict, the court stated that the order of April 4 ordering the ECP to hold elections in Punjab on May 14 “remained unchanged”.

The court also shunned the claims that it had directed the PDM-led government and the PTI to hold talks to end the current impasse. “… It was made clear by the court that the talks and negotiations between the two sides were entirely to be their own effort, without any direction or order of the court in this regard in any manner”, read the judgment.

Later the court adjourned the hearing.

SCBA approaches SC against PBC’s interference ,

Earlier,

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Thursday filed a petition against the interference of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) in the Apex Court and urged to declare its show cause notice null and void.

SCBA President Abid Shahid Zuberi and Secretary Muqtadir Akhtar Shabbir approached the Supreme Court against the PBC through their advocate Hamid Khan.

They demanded the SC issue orders to restrain the PBC from interfering in the affairs of the SCBA as the Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar is a member of the Council.

The petitioners also claimed that the Pakistan Bar Council is leaning towards the government and has issued a show-cause notice to Abid Shahid Zuberi and others on political grounds.

They also declared that the Pakistan Bar Council’s show cause notice is illegal, extrajudicial and against Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The Supreme Court Bar has made the Pakistan Bar Council and the Executive Committee parties to the petition.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Bar Council had issued a show cause notice to the SCBA president and the secretary for violating the Code of Conduct.