PESHAWAR: The Supreme Court of Pakistan Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Saturday issued notices to four major political parties -Pakistan peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamiat UIema-e-Islam Fazl – in petition seeking court intervention to prevent ‘anarchy’ during voting on no-confidence motion.
During hearing, Chief Justice remarked that the no-confidence motion is a constitutional process that should be implemented peacefully and made it clear that the court has no interest in it.
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A constitutional petition was filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in view of possible threat of confrontation on the day of no-confidence. Prime Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Defense, Inspector General of Police Islamabad, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad and the Speaker of the National Assembly were parties in the petition.
The petition argued that the no-confidence motion should be completed peacefully, adding that it is a constitutional way to remove any Prime Minister under Article 95. The petition said that the high political tempo could lead to confrontation between the parties on the day of no-confidence.
Court has no interest in motion: CJP
A bench, headed by Chief Justice, heard the Supreme heard SCBA’s constitutional petition. During the hearing justice Bandial remarked that as far as the no-confidence motion is concerned, it is a political and constitutional process that should be implemented accordingly and the court has no interest in it. On this, the Attorney General said that the next constitution and law will be strictly followed. Justice Bandial said that the court will ask the opposition parties to abide by the law.
The Attorney General also said that he is going too submit reference under 63-A against the PTI defectors. The court urged him to submit the petition soon so that the court start its hearing. The Chief Justice said that the court will ensure that it provides protection to the national institutions.
Justice Ata Bandial further said that parliament and Parliamentarians are respected and will not allow any party to use judiciary to aggravate the situation. The Chief justice said that court will answer legal questions under the constitution. Later, the court issued notices to the PPP, PML-N, PTI and JUI-F at the request of the Supreme Court Bar Association. The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on the petition till one o’clock, Monday.