Asad Umar, a prominent member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), hasendorsed the recent Supreme Court ruling on the law governing the chiefjustice’s powers, describing it as the “right decision.”
He expressed his curiosity about why PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was”celebrating” the verdict. Speaking to the media outside the anti-terrorismcourt (ATC) in Islamabad, Umar stated that, on the whole, the SupremeCourt’s decision was accurate.
The ruling, passed with a majority of 10-5, upheld the constitutionality ofthe Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, a law that limits theadministrative authority of the chief justice of Pakistan, while dismissingchallenges to the law’s validity.
CJP Qazi Faez Isa, in a majority decision of 8-7, declared sub-section (2)of Section 5 of the Act, which granted the right to retrospective appeal,to be ultra vires the Constitution.
This essentially means that individuals like Nawaz Sharif, who facelifetime disqualification from political participation, cannotretroactively appeal against their disqualifications.
In response to a question, Umar questioned whether Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, who recently embarked on his return toPakistan, would still come back after the Supreme Court’s decision.
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He noted the general sentiment that this decision doesn’t favor NawazSharif, raising the query of why Shehbaz Sharif appeared to be pleased withthe verdict.
He remarked, “I am just asking an innocent question… both PTI andShehbaz Sharif seem content with this decision.”
Umar’s remarks pertained to the court’s decision not to allowretrospective appeals against verdicts made under Article 184(3), whichcould impact Nawaz Sharif’s ability to challenge his lifetimedisqualification.