QUETTA: National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that elections to Punjab Assembly have become disputed in view of the controversial Supreme Court verdict.

He urged the court to constitute a full bench to review the matter of holding elections.

Mr Malik was addressing a press conference in Dera Bugti on Monday with political and social activist Darshan Kumar who joined the National Party along with his colleagues.

NP’s Secretary General Jan Muhammad Buledi, Provincial President Rehmat Saleh Baloch and other party leaders were also present on the occasion.

Dr Baloch, who was ex-Balochistan chief minister, said the country was facing serious political, economic and constitutional crises due to various reasons, including the controversial apex court verdict.

He said the order had pitted the judiciary, executive and parliament against each other. “There is a situation of conflict among all institutions and if contradictions arise among institutions, it will be harmful for the country.”

He said the only way out of these crises was negotiations. Dr Baloch also congratulated Mr Bugti on joining the party and said the latter was a known activist of Dera Bugti.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2023