ISLAMABAD: The eleven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court conducted the hearing of reserved seats case. Led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, the hearing saw arguments and submissions from various parties and their legal representatives.
During the hearing, Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for the Sunni Etehad Council, informed the court that some petitions and submissions from petitioners had been received that day, which they would review. He raised questions regarding certain rules and regulations, suggesting that some petitions should be dismissed.
Justice Jamal Mandukhel questioned the lawyer representing the Pakistan Muslim League (N), asking how candidates from one party were declared independent and whether this was addressed in their written submissions. Haris Azmat responded that they had attempted to address this issue.
Faisal Siddiqui pointed out that, some petitions did not adhere to Supreme Court rules and called for their dismissal. He also inquired about how Sunni Etehad Council candidate Hamid Raza, who is participating in the election with the symbol of a horse, is considered independent.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhel further questioned why Hamid Raza was contesting as an independent when there is a record of his political activities within the party since 2013. Justice Musarrat Halali asked whether voting rights should be central to reserved seats and discussed the constitutional implications of extending the 15-day period.
The court revealed that eleven judges had recognized independent candidates as affiliated with PTI, with some judges’ opinions suggesting this recognition extended to up to 39 candidates. Justices Yihya Afridi and other minority judges also considered PTI as deserving of seats.
Faisal Siddiqui raised concerns that review petitions rely on decisions previously challenged by petitioners, emphasizing that these decisions recognize PTI as a party.
Throughout the hearing, there was engaging dialogue between lawyers and bench members. Faisal Siddiqui stated that the court’s extension of the three-day deadline to 15 days effectively rewrote the constitution, a point with which the justices concurred.
The judges highlighted the importance of safeguarding democracy and the constitution, emphasizing that granting or denying rights to independent candidates is a fundamental democratic principle.
The hearing was adjourned until June 16 at 11:30 AM, with the court instructing lawyers to prepare for further arguments.
