We have come to conclusion that matter should be left to political process, remarks CJP

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, while hearing the case pertaining to holding the elections at the same time, remarked that they reached the conclusion that the matter should be left to the political process.

He observed that they only wants to facilitate the process as they have stopped taking suo motu. "The court will neither issue a direction nor intervene in the dialogues. It will not restrict itself to the May 14 verdict if the dialogues fail and issue and an appropriate order," he observed.

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the government wants to do politics and does not want to talk about the law. "We will not respond to politics. Both sides should show flexibility," he added.

The CJP observed that Justice Athar Minallah had raised the point to restore the assemblies. "The government was not interested and remained busy in the 4-3 discussion," he observed.

Farooq H Naik, counsel for the government, told court that there was an agreement on the level playing field and the elections on the same day. "However, the consensus could not be reached on the date of dissolution of the assembly, approval of the budget before the dissolution of the assembly, the IMF agreement and the trade policy," he added.

At this, the chief justice inquired why the approval of the IMF agreement and the trade policy is mandatory. Farooq Naik said that it is necessary to get the IMF loan for the budget. "If the assemblies do not exist, the budget will not be approved." At this, the CJP inquired that whether this loan will be used in the reserves or payment of loans. Farooq Naik replied that the finance minister could give this answer.