- CJP says he is not directly or indirectly associated with Khan and had only met him once
- Justice Nisar makes it clear whenever there will be an issue of political justice, the court will intervene
While issuing notices to 15 political parties who expressed willingness to participate in resolution of the ongoing political impasse, the Supreme Court Tuesday asked the petitioner to add names of other parties that are also part of the National Assembly.
A four-judge SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk heard a petition filed by Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench President Shafqat Bhatti, seeking that all the political parties be directed to resolve the current political issue within the parameters of the Constitution.
The petition sought court’s intervention stating that there is a lack of trust among political parties while there is an immediate need to handle the critical situation, adding that the situation has reached a point where the court should step in to protect the Constitution.
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) counsel Ali Zafar, however, opposed this suggestion and said that the demands being made were political in nature and does not require interference of the apex court in the matter. Upon which the CJP replied that it was not only a political dispute but also a constitutional matter.
The SC had asked the PTI and PAT counsels Monday to inform the bench about the role they wanted the court to play in the ongoing crisis.
CJP SAYS HE IS NOT ON KHAN’S SIDE:
During the hearing, which was adjourned till today, the CJP also clarified his position regarding PTI President Javed Hashmi’s claim that the incumbent CJP had an “understanding” with PTI chief Imran Khan for toppling the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government. He said that he had no direct or indirect understanding with Khan in this regard.
The CJP said that he had met Khan only once regarding the introduction of biometric polling system in local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and petitions pending in election tribunals when he was serving as acting chief election commissioner. He added that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary and three other PTI members were also a part of the meeting.
Commenting on the matter, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said that individuals did not matter as the whole bench decides the case in the apex court while Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said that it had become a feature of our society to level baseless allegations against institutions without considering consequences.
Justice Jamali also expressed concern over the attack on PTV Headquarters and other state buildings. “We have shown restraint in this matter,” he added.
During the hearing, the PTI counsel Hamid Khan requested the bench to exercise its suo motu power to end the ongoing political impasse.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar made it clear that whenever there will be an issue of political justice, the court will intervene, adding that that it was the apex court that should decide “the scope of fundamental rights”.