Islamabad: The three main parties of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have urged Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Muzahir Naqvi should separate them from a nine-member bench constituted for hearing the suo moto notice over delay in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections.
The PDM parties adopted their point of view before the SC bench saying that Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Muzahir Naqvi have given their opinions in a case of transfer of a police officer regarding the electios.
The PPP, PML-N and JUI-F adopted their joint view in the suo moto notice case over delay in the elections in Punjab and KP. They said that for dispensation of justice, under the requirement of fair and transparent trial both the judges separate them from the bench.
Earlier in the hearing today, PDMled by Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has raised objection on formation of nine-member bench for hearing of suo moto notice over the delay in the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A nine-member bench in chair of Chief Justice of Pakistan Umat Atta Bandiyal is hearing the case while Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Muzzahir Ali Naqvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, justice Yahya Khan Afridi, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhail are included in the bench.
At the outset of the hearing., Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandiyal said that the constitution of Pakistan has knocked the doors of the top court, we will discuss first the maintainbility of the case adding the the legal points raised on the speakers petition are included in hearing.
The CJ apprised that the hearing is also fixed for hearing of speakers petition along with article 184-3. He said that it is authority of the CJ to take suo moto notice adding that Lahore High Court passed verdict on February 16 and the suo moto was taken on February 22.
Lawyer Farooq H Nayik apprised the court that he is representing Pakistan People’s Party(PPP) while senator Kamran Murtaza will be representative of Jamial Ulma-e-Fazal (JUIF).
The PPP counsel said that our party has said that our leadership has instructed that Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Muzzahir Ali Naqvi separate them from the nine-member larger bench.
Farooq H Nayik said that our objection on two members of the bench not of personal in nature, we have stated casuses of the objection while he also expressed reservation on the suo moto notice.
The PPP counsel insisted the court that a full court bench be constituted for the hearing.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhail remakked that the political matters should be resoved in the parliament.
On the other hand, the CJ said that taking suo moto notice is in his authority.
The hearing of the case adjourned till Monday, February 27.
