ISLAMABAD- The Joint opposition faces a setback from the Supreme Court ofPakistan as the Chief Justice rejected the request by the joint oppositionto form a full bench on the case.
The Supreme Court Monday rejected Pakistan Peoples Party’s plea to form afull court bench for the hearing on constitutional crisis arising out ofNational Assembly deputy speaker’s Sunday ruling who dismissed theopposition’s no-trust move, and subsequent dissolution of the assembly onthe advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial who is currently holding hearingon his suo motu notice of the situation said he would issue some kind ofproper order today.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial had taken suo motu notice of thesituation on Sunday and initially formed three-judge bench of the apexcourt comprising besides him Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mohammad AliMazhar.
Today the CJP formed a five-judge larger bench headed by CJP Bandial andconsists of Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam Mian Khel, JusticeMuneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel. However, Justice MuhammadAli Mazhar was no longer part of the larger bench.
During the hearing, PPP lawyer Farooq H Naik requested the court to form afull bench of the court to hear the case. But his plea irked CJP Bandialwho remarked why he was so anxious. He said the court knew fully well whatquestion was more important before it. While telling the PPP lawyer off,the CJP said if (the lawyer) had any objection over the bench, then thejudges would leave. He said if he formed full bench, it would affect othercases.
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The justice said that last year, 63 hearings were held by full courtbenches 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.
