General elections can be delayed if the Supreme Court decides to admit the petition filed by Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran chief Tahirul Qadri, renowned lawyer and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said on Friday. "If Dr Tahirul Qadri's petition is admitted by the Supreme Court for hearing, there is a possibility that elections can be delayed," he opined.
Qadri filed a petition in the apex court on Thursday, seeking immediate reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan and appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner. He had requested the apex court that pending a decision, the court should restrain the ECP from working.
Speaking to media persons outside the apex court, Aitzaz Ahsan said it was not possible to constitutionally remove any member of the election commission in its present form or to constitute the commission anew. Aitzaz Ahsan said Dr Tahirul Qadri reneged on his agreement with the government by calling for the reconstitution of the ECP. Commenting on the imposition of a ban by the ECP on fresh recruitments, Aitzaz Ahsan said that the commission had exceeded its powers in this case.
In an obvious reference to Allama Tahirul Qadri and PTI chief Imran Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that 'some forces' were trying to delay general elections by putting up demands. Talking to media at Sukkur airport he said that though the government and its coalition partners had reached a consensus for lifting governor's rule in Balochistan due to pressure from the masses, but the situation was still not clear.
Nawaz blamed that officers were being transferred and promoted on political grounds before elections, which was a matter of grave concern. Sharif also condemned out of turn promotions of 156 police officers in Sindh. "Situation in Karachi would have not worsened to such an extent if appointments had been made on merit," he added.
He accused the ruling parties of being behind the unrest in Karachi and lamented that the Supreme Court had to take action in Shahzeb murder case, after Sindh government apathy towards the cold-blooded murder. When asked about the reports that President Asif Ali Zardari was planning to meet him, he said that he was not informed of any such visit. To a question regarding caretaker prime minister, he said that consultations with opposition parties were under way.