ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday constituted a four-member bench to hear Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plea against the delay in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections.
The development comes hours after Justice Aminuddin Khan recused himself from a Supreme Court bench hearing the PTI’s petition against ECP decision to delay polls. A new bench will hear the case tomorrow at 11:30pm.
Justice Aminuddin in his remarks said he cannot hear the case after yesterday’s decision of a three-member bench headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa. After remarks of the honorable justice, the other four members of the bench left the court room and the bench was dissolved.
On Wednesday, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered to adjourn the hearing of cases of constitutional importance and suo motu notices. A three-member bench of the court issued the order in a case of giving grace marks to Hafiz-e-Quran. The nine-page decision was written by Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, while Justice Shahid Waheed dissented from the decision.
It may be noted that a five-member bench was hearing PTI’s plea against the postponement of elections in Punjab by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Punjab and KPK assemblies’ speakers Sibtain Khan and Mushtaq Ghani have filed a joint constitutional petition on behalf of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf.
In yesterday’s hearing, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) sought assurances from the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the election delay case. Barrister Ali Zafar said that PTI was ready to give an assurance to the court and will submit a written assurance by the PTI chief.
PTI had challenged the election commission’s decision to change the date of election in Punjab and KP. Punjab and KPK assemblies’ speakers Sibtain Khan and Mushtaq Ghani have filed a joint constitutional petition on behalf of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf. The federation, Punjab and KPK were made parties along with the ministry of parliamentary affairs, ministry of law and the cabinet in the PTI petition.
In the petition, PTI sought directions for the federal government to ensure law and order, provisions of funds and security personnel as per the ECP’s need to hold the elections. It also requested the court to direct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor to announce the date for elections to the provincial assembly.