Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial stated on Thursday that “the solution of all issues of the country is only possible through the people’s decision.
The remark came during the hearing of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s petition opposing the amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance that went into effect in August 2022.
A three-member Supreme Court bench — comprising CJP Bandial, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ijazul Ahsan — resumed hearing Imran’s plea, which claims the new NAB laws are a “violation of fundamental rights”.
At the outset of the hearing today, discussing the general elections, Justice Bandial said: “The solution of all issues of the country is only possible through the people’s decision. Eight months have passed since the incumbent government came to power.”
He referred to a prior ruling of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) saying: “The ECP had stated in the speaker ruling case that they would be ready to conduct elections in November 2022.”
The CJP asserted: “The current parliament has been systematically kept incomplete. The legislation taking place in the current parliament is also becoming controversial [as a result].”
After hearing the arguments, the three-member bench adjourned the next hearing till 11am on Feb 10 (tomorrow).
The federal government’s attorney, Makhdoom Ali Khan, argued that Imran lacked the authority to file the petition and urged the court to exercise caution while interpreting Article 184(3) of the Constitution. The standard will be lowered if a court decides to halt legislation due to a petition under Article 184(3). In public concerns, Article 184(3) is applicable.
“The realities of the present case are different,” CJP Bandial said in response. “The NAB amendments have been contested by the leader of the largest political party in the country.”
