PM's disqualification: SC seeks separate petition to form larger bench

Published September 29, 2014
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. – File Photo
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday rejected the plea for formation of larger bench regarding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's disqualification and adjourned hearing of the case till October 2.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and comprising Justice Musheer Alam and Justice Dost Muhammad Khan, heard the identical petitions filed by former MNA and PTI leader Ishaq Khan Khakwani, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Gohur Sindhu Advocate.

The petitioners requested the court to disqualify Prime Minister Sharif under Article 62-f of the Constitution, claiming he gave a false statement in the joint sitting of the Parliament over the role of the army in negotiations with PTI and PAT to end their prevailing sit-ins.

PM's disqualification: SC admits petition for hearing

Justice Khawaja remarked that the chief justice has the authority to form a larger bench; therefore a separate petition should be filed.

The apex court also directed the petitioners’ lawyer to prepare for Article 69, 68 and 95 during the next hearing of the case.

During the course of proceedings, Petitioner Gauhar Nawaz Sindhu said Nawaz Sharif had stated during the joint sitting of the parliamentary session that Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri requested to meet the army chief and he did not ask the Chief of Army Staff to intervene for resolving the ongoing political issue.

However, an ISPR press release confirmed that the government had requested army to mediate in order to resolve political crisis, he added.

He said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had also stated that the army is apolitical and ISPR gave the statement after consulting the government.

PM's disqualification plea: SC constitutes three-member bench

Another petitioner Ishaq Khakwani's counsel Irfan Qadri said that the Supreme Court has disqualified several members of parliament in many registered cases. Nawaz Sharif should also be disqualified on basis of this case and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should be ordered to de-notify the prime minister, he added.

Justice Khawaja responded that the case hearing was required to begin at 11.30am but petitioner Gauhar wasn't present and now the judges have to join a larger bench for hearing of another case. Therefore, the case hearing will have to be postponed.

During the hearing, there was an exchange of harsh words between Ifran Qadri and Justice Jawad Khwaja. Qadri argued by saying that the case was called 'out of turn'. Justice Khawaja in response accepted it as a fault, to which Qadri retaliated by saying that it is rather a mistake caused by the current political circumstances.

The hearing was later adjourned until October 2.

Also read: FIR registered against PM Nawaz, 10 others

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.