ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday set aside the verdict of the Balochistan High Court (BHC) on delimitations, holding that no objections could be raised on delimitations after issuance of the election schedule.
A SC three-member bench headed by acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Sardar Tariq Masood passed the order on an appeal challenging BHC order against delimitations of two provincial assembly seats in Quetta.
“How the high court can exercise that power which was given to the ECP in the law?,” asked Justice Athar Minallah.
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the other member of the bench, observed that all cases in this regard had become infructuous after the election schedule.
“The whole election process cannot be disturbed to provide relief to a single individual,” remarked the judge. He also remarked that they had to set a line on this matter.
Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Sardar Tariq Masood observed that he was unable to understand that why all wanted to linger on the election.
“Let the election take place,” remarked the acting CJP.
The CJP also remarked, “if this plea is decided then there will be a flood of applications,”.
Justice Athar Minallah remarked that everything just stopped soon as the election schedule is issued. He also observed that it is a big challenge for the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure fair election on February 8.
The top court allowed the ECP appeal against the BHC order.
The BHC had earlier delivered a judgment against the delimitations in Sherani and Zhob—two provincial seats. However, the ECP challenged the verdict before the apex court and asked it to set aside the same.
