The Supreme Court’s (SC) five-member bench was dissolved on Thursday after Justice Aminuddin Khan recused himself from hearing the PTI’s petition on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone polls to the Punjab Assembly.
The original bench, constituted by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, included Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Khan.
On March 1, the Supreme Court had said elections for the Punjab Assembly must be held within 90 days and that the date be announced by the president. However, the ECP decided to push Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa elections from April 30 to October 8, citing the deteriorating security situation in the country and the unavailability of finances and security personnel as reasons.
This was challenged by the PTI in court.
On Wednesday, the SC had asked the ECP to comply with its order.
Chief Justice Bandial asked the ECP to find a way to hold elections, suggesting that if there are security issues then polls could be held on two days instead of one. The ECP was asked to prepare a comprehensive plan for elections and present it in court today (Thursday).