Orders will be issued if CEC not appointed by 19th: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that it will issue suitable orders if the federal government didn’t appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) by March 19. The top court’s observation came during the hearing of a case concerning the permanent appointment of the CEC by a three-member bench headed by Justice Saqib Nisar. The Federation sought two more weeks from the court for the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC), which was rejected. The deputy attorney general apprised the court of a meeting of the attorney general with the government and requested an extension in the deadline for two weeks. Justice Saqib said the court had already given one month for appointment on Feb 19 but its orders were yet to be implemented. He said no more time will be given. The bench resented the delay in the appointment of the CEC despite the court orders. The deputy attorney general informed the court that he was in contact with the authorities and progress had been made in the instant case. The bench granted more time and adjourned the hearing till March 20.