ISLAMABAD: The hearing of the case related to the election in the Supreme Court has been adjourned, as the Chief Justice remarked that the court cannot compel negotiations.
According to the details, a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, and Justice Muneeb Akhtar bench heard the request for a one-day election across the country. The court heard the arguments of the parties and gave remarks.
During the hearing of the trial, the Attorney General informed that on April 19, the government and the opposition had first contact and agreed to meet on April 26. On April 25, Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafiq met with Asad Qaiser, however, Asad Qaiser said that he is not authorized to negotiate, two days ago it was learned from the media that the authority has been given to Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
During the hearing, the Attorney General said that the two parties had objections to the negotiations, but a way was found. Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani wrote letters to the government and the opposition in the Senate and demanded 4-4 names from both. The Chief Justice said that the Chairman Senate is not the representative of the government or the opposition.
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During the Attorney General’s conversation, the Chief Justice remarked that the Chairman Senate will call a meeting and it will take time. “The court cannot compel negotiations, we want the constitution to be followed so that the dispute can be resolved, and no explanation is required. Just tell me the solution,” he said.Â
Lawyer Farooq H. Naik said that the government is ready to negotiate with PTI. According to him, all parties, including PTI, have representation in the Senate. Chairman Senate will play the role of facilitator. The negotiations will be done by the committees of the political parties. “Let politicians decide the future of politics,” he said by adding, ” Shah Mehmood Qureshi took a position that the court had given an opportunity for political consensus at the insistence of the government, but there was no consensus in the PDM.”
Former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Tehreek-e-Insaf also nominated Fawad Chaudhry, me, and Ali Tafar for negotiations, but no contact was made with us or me. Sadiq Sanjrani also said on the phone yesterday that he had contacted the Prime Minister on his insistence. “We were only asked for the names of the senators,” he said.
PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “The Senate committee is a delaying tactic. The government has decided to violate the constitution and law. If you are serious, then we are ready and serious for negotiations. We will sit at the negotiation table today.” Farooq H. Naik said that the names should be provided to the Senate Chairman, “we are also ready to sit tomorrow. You can talk only while sitting,” he said.
The Chief Justice inquired what steps were taken by the government to express good intentions. “It feels like a pass is being played. If there is no consensus to protect the constitution, it will continue as it is. Both sides were expected to meet today. Negotiations should have taken place earlier. There is a constitution and law. The court is not issuing a timeline or direction,” he maintained. Later, the case was adjourned.
