CJP Isa rejects PTI’s ‘baseless’ objection to Article 63-A bench formation
The Supreme Court of Pakistan, under Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has turned down the objections raised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the bench assigned to hear the review petition concerning Article 63-A.
During Wednesday’s hearing, PTI contended that the formation of the bench was improper. However, Chief Justice Isa dismissed these claims firmly.
Barrister Ali Zafar, representing PTI, expressed his concerns about how the bench was formed, saying it didn’t follow the right legal steps. He noted that the party didn’t get notice before the hearing, which he felt made the process unfair. Because of this, he asked for the bench to be restructured to fix these issues.
Chief Justice Isa quickly deemed PTI’s objections unfounded, asserting that the bench was formed in full accordance with judicial protocols. He stated, “We all agreed as a court to reject the objections raised against the bench’s legality.”
The atmosphere became tense when PTI lawyer Tayyab Mustafain Kazmi threatened the court, asserting that numerous PTI lawyers were ready to disrupt any unfavorable ruling. Chief Justice Isa highlighted that judges should not be swayed by intimidation or public pressure, reinforcing the need for judicial independence in Pakistan’s democratic system.
Despite the charged exchanges, Chief Justice Isa directed Barrister Ali Zafar to continue with his arguments. The court dismissed PTI’s objections and the hearing proceeded, affirming that the judiciary would remain unaffected by external influences and would perform its duties impartially.
The case focuses on PTI’s challenge to the Supreme Court’s previous decision on Article 63-A, which concerns the disqualification of lawmakers who don’t follow party orders.
The outcome could affect how political parties in Pakistan maintain control over their members, making it a significant issue in the country’s current political scene.
