Pakistan’s Punjab elections to go ahead as court confirms ruling

Supreme court stands by decision to order elections next month in move that seemingly pits judiciary against government

The chief justice of Pakistan’s supreme court has stood by its decision to order elections next month in its most populous province in a move that seemingly pits the judiciary against the country’s government and military establishment.

The court has announced elections in Punjab for 14 May after declaring a delay to the vote unconstitutional and rejecting a petition from the defence ministry to instead hold elections simultaneously across the country later amid deteriorating security and economic conditions.