Level-playing field: SC issues notices to Punjab officials
State needs to change its mindset as court verdicts alone are not enough to end such practices, says CJP Isa.
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken action on the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), issuing notices to top officials in Punjab, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), chief secretary, and advocate general. The PTI had approached the court seeking a level-playing field ahead of the general elections scheduled for February 8.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musrat Hilali, heard the case. The proceedings were broadcast live on the Supreme Court’s website and YouTube channel. The court adjourned the hearing until January 8.
In the previous hearing on December 22, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to address the concerns raised by the PTI regarding a level-playing field. The ECP representatives subsequently met with a PTI delegation and assured them of addressing grievances in the run-up to the national vote.
Despite this, the PTI filed another petition on December 26, seeking contempt of court proceedings against the ECP, alleging a failure to ensure a level-playing field. The party expressed dissatisfaction with the ECP’s failure to implement the court’s directions, resulting in continued harassment and arrests of PTI candidates.
The recent application submitted by the PTI includes evidence of the alleged denial of a level-playing field, citing the rejection of nomination papers for 668 PTI candidates and incidents of nomination papers’ snatching. The party requested the court to ensure that its candidates are allowed to hold rallies and political gatherings.
During today’s hearing, PTI lawyer Latif Khosa presented arguments on behalf of Advocate Shoaib Shaheen. The Chief Justice advised against making political speeches in the courtroom, emphasizing the importance of focusing on constitutional and legal matters. The court issued notices to top Punjab officials and adjourned the hearing.
The PTI’s pursuit of a fair electoral process reflects its commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties in the upcoming elections. The Supreme Court’s active involvement underscores its dedication to overseeing transparent and unbiased electoral proceedings.
While,
Faez Isa asked govt to give in writing that there’ll be no more enforced disappearances
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Wednesday asked the federal government to give in writing that there would be no more enforced disappearances in the country.
The development came as a three-member bench led by Justice Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, heard the petition of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and other petitioners on the unlawful practice of enforced disappearances, praying for declaring it as violative of various articles of the Constitution.
“We do not want a statement from any section officer. The Government of Pakistan should give us in writing that no one will be illegally disappeared anymore,” the CJP said during a hearing of the case.
Aitzaz had prayed the court to declare that enforced disappearances are violative of Articles 4, 9, 10, 14, 19, and 25 of the Constitution besides declaring that the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances does not adequately comply with legal and international standards.
Similarly, he asked the apex court to set up an effective and purposeful commission.
He prayed the apex court that the commission should be headed by a judge of the Supreme Court while members of the commission should be the Supreme Court Bar Association president, Pakistan Bar Council vice chairman, Lahore, Sindh, Peshawar, Quetta Bar Association heads, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairman, National Commission on Status of Women chairperson, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General, Intelligence Bureau (IB) additional director general and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists president.
In today’s hearing, the CJP lamented that the country has been “fractured” by its people, saying that the state needs to change its mindset as court verdicts alone are not enough to end the practice of enforced disappearance.
At the outset of the hearing, Ahsan’s counsel Shoaib Shaheen cited the Supreme Court’s verdict on the 2017 Faziabad sit-in.
More From Daily The Destination: ECP Appeals to Supreme Court Against PHC Ruling on RO Appointment
The CJP inquired how the Faizabad sit-in verdict is related to enforced disappearances. Advocate Shaheen maintained that the court has mentioned the role of intelligence agencies in the verdict.
At this, the CJP asked Shaheen to explain the part of the Faizabad sit-in decision that applied to the participants of the Baloch protesters protesting against enforced disappearances.
The counsel replied that the Faizabad verdict stated that peaceful protest is the right of every citizen and called for action against those who resorted to violence.
“I am surprised that you are referring to the Faizabad dharna verdict,” the CJP remarked.
Advocate Shaheen said he had been always referring to the Faizabad verdict. “If the Faizabad sit-in decision had been followed so such circumstances would not have happened today,” he added.
The top court adjourned the hearing of the case till January 9.
