ISLAMABAD, 8 May 2008 — The Election Commission of Pakistan said yesterday by-elections would be held on June 26. The announcement by the election panel averted a potential crisis that threatened to unravel the ruling coalition. The poll commission had earlier postponed by-elections for two months.
It came to light that Rehman Malik, prime minister’s adviser on interior, while discussing law and order situation with NWFP Chief Minister Haider Hoti had told Secretary Election Commission Kunwar Dilshad to delay the by-elections for two months. The postponement of the election triggered protests from government’s coalition partners and embarrassed the government.
Meanwhile, although the government has not yet formally asked the United Nations to help investigate the killing of Benazir Bhutto, there were strong indications yesterday that the government was planning to re-open the case. The government has been under pressure from PPP workers to find out who were behind the assassination of the former prime minister on Dec. 27, 2007.
Many workers have even protested outside Zardari House demanding a comprehensive probe into Bhutto’s killing. Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi, a city in Punjab province, which is now jointly ruled by Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan People’s Party.
Secretary-General of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Sen. Mushahid Hussain admitted that security provided to Bhutto at the rally, where she was killed, was inadequate. Hussain, who was speaking at a private TV program, also asked President Pervez Musharraf to exit gracefully. Sources told Arab News both the federal and provincial intelligence agencies were secretly gathering evidence to re-open the probe.
Case of Misconduct Against Sindh Chief Justice
Former Advocate General of Sindh Anwar Mansoor Khan has sent a reference of misconduct against Sindh High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Afzal Soomro to the Supreme Judicial Council and sought his immediate suspension.
In his petition, sent to the Supreme Judicial Council under Article 209 of the Constitution, Khan said the chief justice got a case transferred to his court and decided the matter. The case was being heard by another bench.
Talking to newsmen after sending the reference, Khan said the chief justice got the case transferred from the court of Justice Qazi Khalid to his court, in violation of the rules. In his reference, he asked the council to suspend the chief justice and initiate inquiry of misconduct against him.
