Pakistan's political parties welcome announcement of poll schedule on SC order

Barring one, all major political parties of Pakistan have welcomed the Supreme Court’s announcement of the upcoming election schedule, adding that the top court has foiled a “major conspiracy” to delay the polls and “saved democracy.” Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has, however, continued to question the biases of bureaucrats to be appointed as poll officers, according to Dawn newspaper. But the party said it wants timely, free and fair polls. General elections in Pakistan will be held on February 8. On Friday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) finally announced the dates of polls after the Supreme Court rejected an order by the High Court of Lahore on the appointment of bureaucrats as Returning Officers (ROs). While hearing a plea by the PTI, the LHC on Wednesday suspended ECP’s decision to appoint bureaucrats as Returning Officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) for the February 8 elections, prompting it to approach the apex court. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif praised the Supreme Court as it foiled PTI’s conspiracy against democracy and the Constitution. “The Supreme Court’s landmark decision to ensure Feb 8 polls will strengthen democracy and protect the Constitution,” he said. With inputs from PTI