Why was Shahbaz Sharif happy with SC decision against Nawaz Sharif?
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Asad Umar, a prominent member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has endorsed the recent Supreme Court ruling on the law governing the chief justice'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-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad, Umar stated that, on the whole, the Supreme Court's decision was accurate.
The ruling, passed with a majority of 10-5, upheld the constitutionality of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, a law that limits the administrative authority of the chief justice of Pakistan, while dismissing challenges 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 face lifetime disqualification from political participation, cannot retroactively appeal against their disqualifications.
In response to a question, Umar questioned whether Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, who recently embarked on his return to Pakistan, would still come back after the Supreme Court's decision.
He noted the general sentiment that this decision doesn't favor Nawaz Sharif, raising the query of why Shehbaz Sharif appeared to be pleased with the verdict.
He remarked, "I am just asking an innocent question... both PTI and Shehbaz Sharif seem content with this decision."
Umar's remarks pertained to the court's decision not to allow retrospective appeals against verdicts made under Article 184(3), which could impact Nawaz Sharif's ability to challenge his lifetime disqualification.
