Ready to hold elections in October: Pakistan poll panel

Pakistan's Election Commission said that the body is ready to hold elections in October 2022. The Commission frther said that as per the country's Constitution and laws, the Election Commission will need four more months to complete the process of delimitation. Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday noted that National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri's ruling is, prima facie, a violation of Article 95. The remark came during the hearing of the National Assembly proceedings case, as the apex court resumed deliberation over the case for the fifth consecutive day.  The apex court may rule on the "unconstitutional" act by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri to block the vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan. Chief Justice has said by calling for elections, the country has been left helpless for 90 days.

Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said that under Article 69 of the Constitution, the ruling of the speaker could not be challenged. Prime minister's  PM's lawyer Imtiaz Siddiqui said, "The Speaker took a better decision as per his oath. It is entirely the internal business of Parliament and can't be questioned. The court has not interfered in the proceedings of parliament in the past. The proceedings of the House are beyond the jurisdiction of the judiciary." He also asked Parliament to clean up its own mess.