SC hears petitions against Election Act 2017 today
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar headed the three-member bench.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Monday conducted hearings of petitions that were filed against the Election Act 2017 which allowed disqualified Nawaz Sharif to remain president of his party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar headed the three-member bench which included Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Faisal Arab.
The Election Act 2017 was challenged by thirteen petitioners comprising Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, All Pakistan Aam Admi Party, Justice Party, Muhammad Dawood Ghaznavi, Abdul Wadood Qureshi, Sheikh Ahsan-ud-Din, Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamshed Ahmed Khan Dasti, National Party, Imran Khan, Ishtiaq Ahmed Chaudhry and Gohar Nawaz Sindhu.
Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta said it would be appropriate if the apex court issues notice in this case. Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed him to file a case regarding issuance of notice and remarked that it is a political case and notice cannot be served upon your request. He advised Bhutta to not take the court lightly as it has to follow the rules.
The chief justice commented that parliament is the supreme body to formulate laws, and inquired about the rule under which its decisions can be nullified. He asked the petitioner to give such examples in which the SC annulled the laws made by the parliament.
Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta requested the court to grant him some time to collect such details as he could not prepare properly because he was not in town. Justice Saqib Nisar rejected the request and told Bhutta that he was also out of city and arrived back last night. The CJP said he should have come after preparation as the date was already fixed, and remarked that the case will not be delayed.
