SCP not convinced yet to intervene in NA proceedings: CJP

The Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday heard on a plea filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) seeking the SC's intervention to prevent anarchy ahead of the no-trust motion vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Pertinent to note that on Saturday, a two-judge SC bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Munib Akhtar had issued notices to the ruling PTI, PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, Balochistan National Party (Mengal) and the Awami National Party through their respective secretary generals, though they will be represented by their legal counsel.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial hearing the case remarked that the court has not been convinced to intervene in the National Assembly proceedings and only want that there should be no hurdle when a lawmaker exercise his or her right to cast vote.

CJP Bandial smiled at the statement regarding article six made by Farooq H Naik. CJP said that all these points could be highlighted before the National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar.

Justice Muneeb Akhter argued that Article 17 of the Constitution was about making of the political parties and all political parties have rights as the Article-95 and as per Article-95(2) there is no importance of the individual vote.”

“The Court had given observations in the Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto cases in the past as well,” Justice Muneeb Akhter remarked.

Farooq H Naik presented the notification of summoning of the National Assembly session by NA speaker—custodian of the Lower House—in the court and argued that speaker has violated the Constitution.

Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan said that before applying Article-6 to any other person, first it should be implemented on those who had been labelled with Article-6 in the past.

Farooq H Naik demanded proceedings against the NA speaker as per Article-6.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon said that in the presence of the attorney general the SC Bar demanded proceedings as per Article-6.

CJP Bandial asked Farooq H Naik to sit as the court will hear his arguments later.

Reporter Amanat Gishkori