ISLAMABAD- The Joint opposition faces a setback from the Supreme Court of Pakistan as the Chief Justice rejected the request by the joint opposition to form a full bench on the case.
The Supreme Court Monday rejected Pakistan Peoples Party’s plea to form a full court bench for the hearing on constitutional crisis arising out of National Assembly deputy speaker’s Sunday ruling who dismissed the opposition’s no-trust move, and subsequent dissolution of the assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial who is currently holding hearing on his suo motu notice of the situation said he would issue some kind of proper order today.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial had taken suo motu notice of the situation on Sunday and initially formed three-judge bench of the apex court comprising besides him Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar.
Today the CJP formed a five-judge larger bench headed by CJP Bandial and consists of Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam Mian Khel, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel. However, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar was no longer part of the larger bench.
During the hearing, PPP lawyer Farooq H Naik requested the court to form a full bench of the court to hear the case. But his plea irked CJP Bandial who remarked why he was so anxious. He said the court knew fully well what question was more important before it. While telling the PPP lawyer off, the CJP said if (the lawyer) had any objection over the bench, then the judges would leave. He said if he formed full bench, it would affect other cases.
The justice said that last year, 63 hearings were held by full court benches and it led to an increase of 10,000 unheard cases.
On this, Farooq Naik said that he had full confidence in the bench.
The CJP rejected the PPP plea to form a full court bench.