ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Sunday took notice of the political situation in the country and said that “any orders and actions that Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi regarding the dissolution of the National Assembly shall be subject to the order of this court.”
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial reached the top court after President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly. The development came after the Opposition leaders demanded to review the “unconstitutional” ruling given by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.
The apex court has adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (Monday). Meanwhile, the top court issued notices to Attorney General Khalid Khalid Jawed Khan, the speaker, deputy speaker, defence secretary, interior secretary, and all political parties.
According to reports, the judicial staff also arrived at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Ijaz ul Haq also reached the Supreme Court.
Commenting on today’s development, CJP Bandial said that the law-and-order situation should be maintained.
“This is an important matter and a hearing will be held tomorrow,” he said, barring all political parties and government departments to take advantage of the ongoing situation.
Regarding the Opposition’s petition, he said that the hearing should be fixed for PPP’s petition.
CJP Bandial proposed to make President Alvi a party in this case and said that a hearing will be held tomorrow in this regard after the hearing of the 63A presidential reference.
The top judge further directed all state agencies and provincial law enforcement agencies to maintain the law and order situation in the country.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar said that Punjab Assembly’s session was adjourned because of the poor law and order situation in the country.
Meanwhile, Justice Bandial added that the court cannot interfere much in the proceeding of the National Assembly; however, he said the court is aware of the situation there.
Regarding Punjab Assembly’s session, he said the matter will be taken into consideration after a request/petition is filed.
He also mentioned that “symbolic voting” was conducted by the Opposition leaders, highlighting that Ayaz Sadiq conducted the voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister and over 200 members of the assembly voted in favour of the motion.
