LHC nomination papers’ verdict suspended after considering supremacy of parliament: SC

• CJP says revising nomination forms could cause delay in polls
• Apex court hints toward­s formin­g larger bench to examin­e revisi­on to nomina­tion papers’ issue­

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict rejecting nomination papers was suspended after considering the supremacy of the parliament.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar passed the statement while hearing a petition, filed by Advocate Dr Zubair on behalf of the plaintiff, requesting restoration of clauses and sections from nomination papers issued in 2013.

“Parliament is the representative of masses, it owns the right to make laws,” said Justice Nisar. The court decided that legal arguments need to be put forth to assess the weight of the petition and adjourned the hearing until Wednesday.

“Forget about any delay in elections,” Justice Nisar reiterated. “All political parties mutually made the code of conduct. This code of conduct cannot be changed.”

“There is no possibility of polls getting delay unless the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) becomes helpless,” the CJP remarked.

It is pertinent to mention here that the chief justice had made the similar remarks on Sunday while hearing the case pertaining to the revision in the parliament-made nomination papers.

Justice Nisar had asserted that the upcoming general elections would be held as per schedule, on July 25, saying that “the ECP will be responsible for any delay in elections”.

During the proceedings, the chief justice further noted that all matters pertaining to elections must be completed on an urgent basis.

The top court further hinted that a larger bench may be formed to examine the matter of revisions to nomination papers. The court further outlined the jurisdiction of the election commission as well.

On Sunday, the Supreme Court suspended LHC’s decision rejecting the nomination papers, drafted by a parliamentary committee, for violating Article 62, 63 of the Constitution of Pakistan.