ISLAMABAD: The boycott by ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) turned out to be a media stunt as they denied deciding any such thing when Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday resumed the hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to postpone polls in Punjab till October 8.
The proceedings are being conducted by a three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar.
Just before the start of hearing today, the coalition government submitted a “concise statement” urging the bench to recuse itself from the case.
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The Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Awan presented the statement seeking the dismissal of the PTI petition in light of what it interpreted as a “4-3” order issued by the apex court on March 1.
The hearing was attended by Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan, ECP lawyers Irfan Qadir and Sajeel Swati, PTI lawyer Ali Zafar, PPP counsel Farooq H. Naek, and secretaries of finance and interior ministries.
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The coalition partners belonging to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had already announced a boycott of the proceedings. However, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked PPP lawyer Farooq H Naek at the start of the proceedings if the boycott had ended. Naek replied, “We have not boycotted the proceedings,” to which the CJP asked, “Then who has boycotted the three-member bench?”
The bench expressed concern over media reports suggesting a lack of confidence in the bench and asked how Naek could present arguments without trust in the court. The bench demanded that Naek withdraw the joint statement issued by coalition leaders last week before the court would hear his arguments.
When asked if he wished to participate in the proceedings, Farooq H Naek answered affirmatively and claimed that the PPP had reservations regarding the petition’s maintainability. The CJP asked Naek to confirm in writing that he had not boycotted the hearing.
The coalition government’s lawyers were denied hearing during the proceedings, with Justice Munib Akhtar remarking, “On the one side, you people are boycotting the hearing, and on the other hand, want to be part of the court proceedings.” During the hearing, Kamran Murtaza presented arguments stating that they have reservations on the bench. The hearing is set to continue as the PTI’s petition is yet to be resolved.
