Pakistan government erupts in anger as CJP decides date of Punjab polls

Pakistan's National Assembly and federal cabinet remained amant on t complying with Supreme Court ruling that decided to conduct Punjab polls on May 14, with Premier Shehbaz Sharif labelling verdict a “murder of justice." According to Dawn, lawmakers in lower house of parliament urged Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to “rethink and constitute a full court bench."

dressing National Assembly, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that apex court's decision is equivalent to "judicial murder" of former President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He stated that Bhutto's "murder took place on April 4, 1979, and on same date, unfortunate episode was repeated” through polls ruling.

“Two decisions were me today, murder of Bhutto and murder of justice, which is highly regrettable,” Sharif said at National Assembly session. 

Following chaos, apex executive body directed legal team to devise ways of revoking ruling. “ prime minister has directed me and attorney general to give a legal opinion on Supreme Court’s decision that has been me in such a way that it negated judicial system of country,” Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said. 

Tarar ded that ruling on Punjab elections can furr deteriorate alrey-existing crises in Pakistan. “We have reservations about decision and our legal team will decide about future course of action after consultations," he said, ding that Sharif government always wanted to have free and unbiased elections.

Pak lawmakers call for polls to be held simultaneously

Furrmore, minister cited Article 224, which says that general elections in country must be held simultaneously at same time, and can only be pushed to a later date in case of unprecedented circumstances, as per Article 254. Several law ministers also slammed CJP for t creating a full bench and accused judiciary of siding with PTI chief Imran Khan.

“You [ CJP] could have proved your impartiality with just one decision. But you preferred to get your name included in list of lovers of Imran and PTI,” said Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) leer As Mehmood as members of assembly thumped in unison.