The federal cabinet of Pakistan has been called for an emergency meeting, the second one in less than 24 hours, as the country awaits the announcement of the Supreme Court’s verdict on the closely-watched election delay case. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is scheduled for 1 pm today at Parliament House and will discuss the overall political situation of the country.
While the official agenda has not been disclosed, sources have indicated that the upcoming verdict of the Supreme Court will be a major focus of the meeting. The high-stake verdict could potentially have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Pakistan, as it pertains to the delay of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
This emergency meeting follows a previous one held on Monday night at 8 pm, during which the cabinet made the decision to withdraw the services of SC Registrar Ishrat Ali. This came after a letter by Justice Qazi Faez Isa sought the cabinet to remove Ali from office.
The previous meeting focused on a two-point agenda, with Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan providing a detailed briefing. The first agenda point discussed the issuance of a circular by the registrar against the order of the Supreme Court, while the registrar was asked to report to the Establishment Division.
The second point of discussion was related to the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023, with the cabinet urging President Dr. Arif Alvi to sign it immediately to help resolve the constitutional and political crisis currently faced by the country.
The emergency cabinet meetings underscore the seriousness of the political situation in Pakistan, which has been marked by constitutional crises and political upheaval in recent years. The upcoming verdict of the Supreme Court in the election delay case is likely to have major implications for the future of democracy in the country.
In the face of these challenges, the government and other stakeholders must work together to uphold the rule of law and ensure the democratic process is safeguarded. The cabinet meetings are a clear sign that the government is taking these challenges seriously and is committed to finding a way forward that ensures the best interests of the Pakistani people are served.