ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has formed a larger bench on a presidential reference filed by the federal government seeking the apex court’s interpretation of Article 63-A of the constitution.
Attorney General for Pakistan Barrister Khalid Javed Khan filed the reference on behalf of the government. A two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Munib Akhtar, heard the reference.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) had also filed a plea seeking the apex court’s order against public gatherings in the federal capital in order to prevent “anarchy” ahead of voting on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan after the government and Opposition announced to hold rallies in Islamabad.
The apex court ordered the formation of a larger bench on SBCA petition and also sent notices to all political parties on the presidential reference. PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman along with other opposition leaders arrived at the Supreme Court to attend the hearing of a separate petition filed by SCBA.
During the hearing, the AGP apprised the court that the federal government has filed a reference seeking the opinion of the top court in the presidential reference under Artic+186. He said the supreme court’s guidance has been requested over delineation of the scope and meaning of certain provisions contained in Article 63-A of the Constitution.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked how lawmakers can be stopped from casting their votes? The attorney general assured the apex court that no lawmaker would be stopped from voting on the no-confidence move, adding that action will be taken against those voting against party policy under Article 63 (A). The attorney general also informed the top court that the public won’t be allowed to enter Red Xone during the National Assembly session.
The top judge said the Supreme Court is not convinced about intervening in the proceedings of the National Assembly. The top judge said that “these are the internal matters of the assembly,” adding that it would be better to fight internal battles inside the premises of the Assembly.
After hearing arguments, the court ordered the formation of larger bench and adjourned hearing till March 24. The presidential reference has sought the opinion of the top court in the presidential reference under the jurisdiction of Constitution’s Article 186.
