In Islamabad, the Supreme Court Bar Association has made the decision to challenge the Council of Common Interests’ ruling in the Supreme Court.
The contentious issue revolves around the approval of the digital census, which the Bar Association believes will lead to a delay in holding elections. According to them, conducting timely elections is the responsibility of the Election Commission, which is constitutionally obligated to hold elections within 90 days.
To protest this decision and protect the Constitution and the rule of law, the Supreme Court Bar Association plans to organize peaceful protests nationwide. They strongly condemn the government’s move to hold elections based on the 2023 census, stating that involving the caretaker chief minister in the Council of Common Interests’ decisions and the federal government is unconstitutional. The caretaker government’s role should be limited to ensuring transparent elections, and any attempt to use delaying tactics is seen as undermining democracy and the rule of law.
The Bar Association stresses the need for a constitutional amendment to adjust the number of seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies in line with population growth. They call upon all political parties to set aside their differences and cooperate in ensuring transparent elections, as democracy, stability, and the rule of law can only be upheld through such means. The Supreme Court is urged to continue its efforts to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law, and democracy, ultimately enabling timely elections in the country.