Avoidable Fuss
Summary:
The article discusses the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming elections for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provincial assemblies. The Supreme Court has stated that the elections must be held within 90 days, but there is still some confusion as to the exact timeline. The court has also clarified that the responsibility for announcing the election date falls on the governor of the province if the assembly is dissolved by their hand, otherwise, it becomes the president's responsibility. The Election Commission has been urged to proactively make itself available to ensure swift and timely announcements.
The article notes that involving the Supreme Court in this matter may not have been necessary, and could have been handled by the high courts of KP and Punjab. Additionally, the opportunity to resolve questions about the conditions for dissolving an assembly was missed. The government is accused of trying to delay the elections and may be on a collision course with the judiciary. The article ends with a call for the government to stop delaying the elections and allow the Election Commission to proceed with its responsibilities.
Difficult words used in the article:
- Impending - about to happen; imminent.
- Suo motu proceedings - legal action initiated by a judge on their own accord without being petitioned by either party.
- Deviation - departure from an established course or norm.
- Prerogative - a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class.
- Pertinent - relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
- Discharging - carrying out or performing a duty.
- Collision course - a situation in which two or more parties are heading towards a confrontation or conflict.
Meanings:
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provincial assemblies - governing bodies of two provinces in Pakistan.
- Split verdict - a ruling by a court in which the judges are divided in their opinions.
- Constitution - a set of fundamental principles and laws that govern a country's affairs.
- Dissenting note - an opinion expressed by a judge who disagrees with the majority opinion.
- High courts - courts of higher jurisdiction that hear appeals from lower courts.
- PDM government - an alliance of opposition parties in Pakistan.
- Electoral exercise - the process of holding elections.
Synonyms:
- Uncertainty - doubt, unpredictability, ambiguity.
- Responsibility - duty, obligation, accountability.
- Pertinent - relevant, applicable, appropriate.
- Resolve - settle, fix, solve.
- Urged - encouraged, advised, recommended.
- Confrontation - conflict, clash, confrontation.
Antonyms:
- Clarity - confusion, obscurity, ambiguity.
- Responsibility - irresponsibility, negligence, carelessness.
- Pertinent - irrelevant, inappropriate, extraneous.
- Delaying - hastening, accelerating, advancing.
- Collision course - harmony, agreement, concord.