On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued the order that elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab provinces must be held within 90 days. The decision was made after the court declared that the terms of the provincial assemblies in these two provinces had expired.
President Arif Alvi’s trump card
Last week, the court took suo moto notice of the unnecessary delay in elections in the KP and Punjab assemblies by the ECP. Reportedly, the verdict was announced following President Arif Alvi’s earlier announcement of election dates (9th April 2023) which was heavily criticized by the ruling party.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions. On one hand, some view it as a necessary step towards ensuring that democratic processes are respected in Pakistan. On the other hand, others see it as an unnecessary and potentially destabilizing move, especially given the ongoing political turmoil in the country.
Also read: “Elections In Punjab & KP To Be Held On April 9th, 2023”, Announces President Arif Alvi
Implications on Pakistan’s political landscape
Regardless of one’s perspective, it is clear that the Supreme Court’s decision will have significant implications for Pakistan’s political landscape. As the country continues to grapple with a range of economic, social, and political challenges, it is more important than ever to ensure that democratic institutions are strong and functional.
The upcoming elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab will be an important test of Pakistan’s democratic health, and their outcome can have a severe impact on the country’s future.
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