The PML-N upset after court’s decision, Rana Sana under fire

By Raza Ruman

Islamabad, Nov 7 (Pak Destiny) After the Lahore High Court’s decision to hold Punjab’s local government elections on “party basis”, the PML-N circles got upset and severely criticizing Punjab Minister Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for his claim that he would manage to get the polls held on non-party basis.

It has been a great victory for the opposition – Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf, Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – especially for their provincial parliamentary leaders – Mahmoodur Rashid, Chaudhry Moonis Elahi and Qazi Ahmed Saeed, respectively. The opposition had challenged the government’s intention in the court.

Since the PML-N seems to have lost the popularity after its anti-people policies its leadership fear that it may not perform well in Punjab in the local body polls.

Some top PML-N leaders are criticizing Rana Sana who had assured the leadership that the local polls would be held on non-party basis. He seems to be losing control over his affairs.

The opposition is celebrating. It believes it has every chance to knock off the PML-N in the local body polls in the current scenario.

LHC: The LHC issued the ruling on the petitions seeking LG elections on party basis further stated that Sections 14 and 18 of the Punjab Local Government Act 2013 were in violation of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The petitions making the case for party-based local government polls were filed by Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) and others.

A bench of the LHC, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, had been holding day- to-day hearing of the petitions and had reserved its ruling on the matter on Friday.

The petitioners were of the view that non-party polls would weaken the foundation of political parties in the province, which would be in the national interest.

Petitioners had also argued that the local government system was the foundation of all democratic principles and the structure of democracy was based on this foundation.

The Punjab government had however stated that the nature of LG institutions was not legislative but administrative, therefore, party-based elections could not be held. It had further said that the Constitution allowed party-based polls for legislative institutions only. -Pak Detiny

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