SC orders presidential election on July 30

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered for the presidential election to be held on July 30, following the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that it would not give a new date for the polls.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry also instructed Director General (DG) of the election commission to execute the court's order and to complete the scrutiny process by tomorrow.

Earlier, the ECP announced that it was leaving the matter in the hands of the SC.

The commission's view came after the SC gave it until 11 am to convey its stance on an application submitted by Senator Raja Zafarul Haq of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) seeking to hold the upcoming presidential election before the announced date of Aug 6.

Haq had submitted his petition in the SC after the ECP had turned down a request made by the federal government to change the date for presidential election, saying that polls would be held on Aug 6 as announced.

Earlier, a three-member of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar, heard Zafarul Haq’s petition.

The PML-N senator, in his request, asked the apex court not to hold the presidential election during the last Ashra (ten days) of Ramazan.

He further gave the reference of various reports published in the media, according to which more than a hundred lawmakers would not be available on Aug 6 to participate in the presidential election, as they would be engaged in Aitekaf, Umrah and other religious duties.

Haq's petition sought to hold the presidential election on July 30.

During the hearing, Attorney General Munir A. Malik informed the court that the federal government supported Haq’s petition. Moreover, he said it was the constitutional right of every member of the Parliament to vote in the presidential polls.

Chief Justice Iftikhar asked as to what would be the constitutional barriers in preponing the election, adding that the participation of every parliamentarian in the polls would permit constitutional requirements to be better fulfilled.

He remarked that the ECP should consider holding the election on the date requested by Haq.

Pakistan

PML-N requests SC to hold presidential elections on July 30

Guest63

Jul 24, 2013 12:46pm

I feel sorry for the dear Fakhroo Bhai for loosing his independence , I feel pity for the ECP to give in so promptly on its independence and In my humble opinion , I feel the SCP & CJP got it wrong by giving in to the political expediency by even allowing to have such a petition heard let alone ordering the independent Institution like ECP , to accept the political will of the new masters . Performing an Umrah ( that also on the cost of the national kitty ) or sitting eteqaf ( even though ehteqaf rules allow the person to attend to an emergency state and then go back to his/her eteqah once that is done ! ) as these two acts are pure personal choice and not a constitutional requirement as such BUT attending and casting a vote in a presidential election is a constitutional bar on the person , so here so called a religious act of pure personal nature , had been given credence to affect a pure constitutional act ......... so much of independence and working of institutions , under the rule of law and abiding by the constitution . In my humble opinion , both the ECP/CEC and SCP/CJP , one way or the other , threw out the towel infront of the new political masters and religious fanatics and this will not bid fair to the rule of law and constitutionalism , we have been grown tired of hearing almost every month if not more but when the times comes to enforce the rule of law and constitution , there you have such decisions .

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M Rafique

Jul 24, 2013 12:47pm

Bravo; Chaudhary Iftikhar. At least you should ask for the list of hundreds law makers which would not be available on Aug 6 to participate in the presidential election, as they would be engaged in Aitekaf, Umrah and other religious duties.

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sabeeh omer

Jul 24, 2013 12:47pm

Bravo! A very rational decision taken by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (knowing the sanctity of the last Ashra of Ramadan!). Couldn't the ECP have taken this decision itself? Strange!

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pakiboy

Jul 24, 2013 12:58pm

PML(N) requested SC ... enough said !! .. do it by SC ...

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Muhammad Asif

Jul 24, 2013 02:16pm

Would this favour have been given to PPP had it requested it?

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Omer

Jul 24, 2013 02:21pm

Bye bye Zardari

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zain

Jul 24, 2013 02:25pm

its better to hold poll after ramadan because many of legislators are performing ummrah.

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AAA

Jul 24, 2013 02:53pm

OK is ok

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ZAK

Jul 24, 2013 05:26pm

The office of PIROP is purely ceremonial unlike the office of POTUS which is power personified. What difference if the election is held today yesterday or tomorrow ??

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marghoobahmedsiddiqui

Jul 24, 2013 11:07pm

Now the Supreme Court is of Nawaz Shareef's own and he can get any decision from Iftikhar Chaudhry. What a free and fair justice Pakistan is getting.

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marghoobahmedsiddiqui

Jul 24, 2013 11:09pm

@Guest63: Mr.Fakhruddin Ibrahim has proved to be the most weak Election Commissioner of Pakistan.

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S Khan

Jul 25, 2013 02:22am

@Guest63: I doubt the SCP & CJP will ever be independent! Will always, one way or the other be controlled by the current GOP. CJP only serves suo moto notices clearly ignoring the poor litigants who have been hoping against hope for years on end.

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mohsin Meghani

Jul 25, 2013 03:38am

If it were PPP who had gone to court the questions would have why so many people going for Umra .who is paying the tickets etc etc and the petition dismissed.Chaudhry and Mian combination works.

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