SC orders to hold presidential election on July 30

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered on Wednesday to hold the presidential elections on July 30 instead of the scheduled date of August 6. The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to delay the dates of the presidential election as it falls during the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadhan. They provided references of various reports published in the media telling that 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. The ECP rejected the request of PML-N by denying extending the date of the election and announced to leave the matter in the hands of the apex court. The Chief Justice of Pakistan ordered to hold the presidential election on July 30 and directed Director General (DG) of the election commission to execute the court's order and to complete the scrutiny process by Thursday. The tenure of the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari's tenure is expiring on September 9 and a presidential election schedule needs to be issued 30 days prior.