Islamabad: Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan, Umar Atta Bandial has refused to suspend the National Assembly Speaker’s ruling to disallow the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A three-member bench of the top court comprising CJP Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar heard the case.
The apex court has ruled that all the actions and order of the president and prime minister are subject to a final verdict of the Supreme Court.
The chief justice also said that supreme court could rule over the National Assembly proceedings up to a certain extend.
The Supreme Court later announced that it was forming larger bench on the issue, which will hear the the suo moto notice and petitions on Monday.
PPP lawyer Latif Khosa had petitioned the court to suspend the speaker’s ruling and grant an interim relief while opposition parties also filed a joint petition.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), too, filed a petition over the speaker’s ruling and president’s order to dissolve the National Assembly.
Although the court refused to grant interim relief, the CJP told the parties that they need to satisfy the court about the speaker’s ruling.
The Court also observed that when no hearing and finding on foreign conspiracy was there how can speaker rely on article 5 for rejection of motion.
Deputy Speaker Suri had rejected the no-trust motion under Article 5, which mandates loyalty to the state.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, defence and interior secretaries, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and others.
During the hearing, the CJP said that all the state institutions must refrain from taking any illegal step or exploiting the situation and that law and order situation must not be hurt.
The CJP also ordered the authorities to ensure law and order situation in Punjab and said that the assembly members had registered their protest and were not likely to spend the nigh in the assembly.
He was referring to the protest by opposition MPAs in the Punjab Assembly.
The apex court then adjourned the hearing until Monday, when the larger bench will hear the issue.
Earlier, CJP Bandial took suo moto notice over the situation that developed following the speaker’s ruling.
The CJP formed a three-member bench that he is heading. The other two members are Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar.
The court room number 1 at the Supreme Court of Pakistan was opened by the staff and hearing, which lasted only a few minutes, was held in the afternoon.
Before taking the suo moto, the chief justice called the apex court judges at his residence to discuss the situation.
Spokesperson of the apex court confirmed that the chief justice has taken notice and said that details regarding the notice will be shared soon.
