SC issues notices to all parties on hearing of suo-moto notice on prevailing situation

SC issues notices to all parties on hearing of suo-moto notice on prevailing situation

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice Omar Atta Bindiyal onSunday adjourned the suo-moto notice till tomorrow of the prevailing political situation in the country.

A three-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Omar Atta Bindiyal, Justice Aijaz-ul Ahsan and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the suo-moto notice.

The Chief Justice remarked that it is Ramadan and everyone is fasting. He remarked that all institutions should play their role in accordance with the constitutional limits. The CJP remarked that all political forces and state authorities should not take advantage of the situation. Petitions filed on the issue are registered.

He said the situation should not get worse, all political parties should ensure law and order.

The bench will review applications filed by the opposition after after Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri rejected no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the judiciary can interfere to some extent in the proceedings of the National Assembly after arguments on the separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature were advanced.

The court refused to stay the ruling of the Speaker on the rejection of the no-confidence motion.

Notices were also issued to the Prime Minister, the speaker of the National Assembly, and Deputy Speaker Sadiq Sanjrani who announced the rejection of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly earlier today.

Among those who reached the top court were Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan, members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the Opposition.

Spokesperson for the apex court said that the apex court has taken notice of the current situation. He said that more details regarding the notice of the Supreme Court would be informed later.

Earlier, Supreme Court of Pakistan had taken suo moto notice of dissolution of National Assembly by the Presiddent. The apex court had formed a special bench to look into the matter. The special bench will review the matter.

President Dr Arif Alvi had dissolved National Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had proposed President Dr Arif Ali to dissolve assembly after Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri rejected the no-confidence motion submitted by the opposition, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution.

Oppositionn’s hopes of ousting the premier were dashed after Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri rejected no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution.

Shortly after the session began, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that loyalty to the state was the basic duty of every citizen under Article 5.

"On March 7, our official ambassador was invited to a meeting attended by the representatives of other countries. The meeting was informed that a motion against PM Imran was being presented," Fawad Chaudhry said.

"We were told that relations with Pakistan were dependent on the success of the no-confidence motion. We were told that if the motion fails, then the upcoming path for Pakistan would be very difficult. This is an operation for a regime change by a foreign government," he alleged.

Fawad Chaudhry questioned how this could be allowed and called on the deputy speaker to decide the constitutionality of the no-trust motion.

“No foreign country has the right to oust an elected government in Pakistan. The points raised by the law minister are valid, thus, I issue the ruling that this no-confidence motion negates the constitution. As per code of conduct, the motion stands rejected,” the deputy speaker announced.

Addressing the nation after the National Assembly session, he congratulated the nation on the rejection of the no-confidence motion. He said that the nation should prepare for early elections.

PM Imran Khan said that the Speaker of the Assembly has rejected the no-confidence motion and “I congratulate the whole nation.” He said that such a conspiracy would not allow this nation to succeed.

The Prime Minister said, “I have suggested to the President to dissolve the Assemblies so that there would be elections and the people would decide who they wants to bring.”

"The conspiracy to take down this government has collapsed," he added. The PM said, "I thank Allah that such a big foreign conspiracy has failed."

Written Order

The Supreme Court has issued a written order to hear the suo motu notice taken on the political situation, in which it is said that the utmost priority for the Supreme Court is to establish law and order in the country.

While it remains to be seen whether the rolling of the Deputy Speaker is protected under Article 69. Any order issued by the President and the Prime Minister will be subject to the Supreme Court.

According to the order, the Supreme Court has directed the Home Secretary and Secretary Defense to submit a report on the steps taken to maintain law and order in the country.

The court said that the Attorney General should assist the court on the initiative of the Deputy Speaker and state whether the Deputy Speaker can apply Article 5 without listening to the affected parties.

The Supreme Court has issued notice to Advocate General Punjab on the situation arising in the Punjab Assembly and has directed that the appointment of new Chief Minister of Punjab be carried out in a constitutional and peaceful manner, adding that law enforcement institutions should strictly abide by the constitution and law to maintain peace and order in Punjab.

The written order of the Supreme Court further said that media reports regarding the rejection of the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister should come to light. While several judges also called on Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The Supreme Court took notice of the matter and fixed it for hearing today (Sunday) .