At the previous hearing, the court had asked political parties to hold negotiations to end the impasse over the delay of elections. However, the ruling coalition criticised the top judiciary for “interfering in political matters” and refused to comply with the directives.

During today’s hearing, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan told the court that the government and opposition had decided to hold a meeting on April 26, saying that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique met PTI’s Asad Qaiser on April 25. But Asad Qaiser refused to hold talks over the matter, saying he was not authorised.

Justice Bandial asked in what capacity was Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjarani contacted to serve as a facilitator of the dialogue since he was neither the representative of the government nor the opposition.

“If the government was serious about negotiations, it would have made efforts itself,” said the CJP.

The top judge remarked that the court cannot force the government and opposition to hold negotiations, stressing that it only sought adherence to the Constitution and an end to the deadlock over the delay of elections.

During the hearing, PPP lawyer Farooq H. Naek told the court that the coalition parties had agreed to hold talks with PTI and Senate was the only forum where all political parties were present. He also made it clear that the Senate chairman was playing the role of a facilitator during the negotiations since he represents a political forum. He maintained that this is a political issue, which will only be decided by politicians.

The CJP had also called PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi to the rostrum to present his party’s perspective during the hearing.

News Desk

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In the run-up to the 2013 general elections, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had warned people to stay away from the rallies organised by three political parties in particular–the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), and Awami National Party (ANP)– which they considered enemies.

During the month leading to the polls, almost daily attacks were reported on election rallies and candidates with more than 240 fatalities reported in election-related events.

On April 14, 2013, TTP had attacked two leaders of ANP in separate incidents, killing one and wounding the other during their campaigns for the parliamentary election

In the first incident, Mukarram Shah was killed in an explosion as he entered his car in the village of Banjot, north-west Pakistan. In the second attack, a blast struck the convoy of Masoom Shah, the provincial assembly candidate, as he was returning from a campaign meeting.

The ANP was also heading the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a stronghold of the Taliban, and had an anti-Taliban stance.

On April 16, 2013, at least 17 people were killed when a Taliban suicide bomber targeted an ANP rally in Peshawar. The same day the Baloch Liberation Army accepted responsibility for a bomb attack on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate in Khuzdar, Balochistan that claimed four lives, including the candidate’s son, brother and nephew.

Before these attacks, two ANP candidates had survived bomb attacks, and a Taliban gunman had killed an MQM candidate in Hyderabad.

On April 23, 2013, bombings targeted an office of the MQM in Karachi and a leader of the Hazara Democratic Party in Quetta.

On April 24, 2013, a Pakistan People’s Party candidate in Peshawar and an independent candidate in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were targeted.

On April 24, 2013, international human rights watchdog Amnesty International had issued a statement, urging the authorities to investigate the wave of attacks and threats on political candidates and election workers.

It had said at least 37 people have been killed and 183 injured in attacks on election officials and political party representatives and supporters countrywide.

In the end, more than 240 fatalities were reported in election-related events, resulting in the 2013 election being called the “bloodiest” in Pakistan’s history.

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The Interior Ministry said the armed forces would not be able to perform poll duties as they were busy with conducting census and counter-terrorism activities.

It further said the decision was taken due to an increase in terror activities.

Over the past few months, the law and order situation of the country has deteriorated.

Earlier this month, a blast targeting a mosque inside a police compound claimed over 60 lives. Banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for one of the deadliest blasts in the city.

Last month a police station in Peshawar was also targeted, resulting in three deaths. Meanwhile, the day after the deadly Peshawar attack, Punjab police thwarted an attack on a police station in Mianwali.

News Desk

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