Return of Supreme Court bill duly passed by the Parliament was most unfortunate, says Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said the return of Supreme Court bill duly passed by the Parliament was most unfortunate.
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Shareef has shown his grave concerns on President Arif Alvi’s refusal to give assent to Supreme Court Bill and sending it back to parliament for reconsideration.
Talking to twitter, PM showed his disapproval for President’s step to return the bill to Parliament for reconsideration and said that President has once again proved that he is acting as a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf.
The PM further said, working a s a member of PTI is not honouring President’s office and he has once again provide that he can subside his constitutional duties to serve Imran Niazi.
The President has utilised his powers conferred on him by the article 75 of constitution of Pakistan. According to him, the bill the bill is not compiled well and could be challenged in courts immediately after its promulgation. Hence, Parliament should reconsider it.
The Parliament, on the other hand, plans a joint session on Monday where the bill will be re-tabled. After the second approval, the bill will be promulgated after 10 days even if President rejects to do so.
The President took stance that article 191 allows Supreme Court to formulate and regulate their own procedures and any intervention in this authority can compromise the freedom of Judiciary.
Also, PPP leader Sherry Rehman raised her concern during a press conference, President should not try to school the Parliament about legislation, he has always seen the Parliament’s bills from a prism of his party. She also accused that the President has been running his office as an ordinance factory from last three and a half years.
Moreover, Hafiz Hamdullah has said that President has deviated from the constitution by not promulgating the bill and he always acts as a spokesperson of Imran khan from President’s house. The President is attacking the very Parliament that rose him to this position, he added.
However, the PTI leaders have lauded the President’s step and said that only the Supreme Court will decide the matters regarding their procedure. The government should not make legislation on the whims of certain people. The real issue is not the formation of bench, but the conduct of election within 90 days, said Fawad Chaudhary.
President Alvi returning the Supreme Court Bill duly passed by Parliament is most unfortunate. Through his conduct, he has belittled the august Office by acting as a worker of the PTI, one who is beholden to Imran Niazi more than the Constitution & demands of his Office.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 8, 2023
According to the president, this bill is beyond the jurisdiction of parliament.
The president maintained that the bill can be challenged in court for being ‘colorable legislation’.
NA resolution ‘rejects’ SC verdict
a resolution passed by the Lower House of the Parliament against the Supreme Court’s April 4 verdict nullifying the election commission’s postponement of polls in Punjab to Oct 8.
The resolution was tabled by the Balochistan Awami Party’s Khalid Magsi, rejected the decision of the three-member bench of the SC.
It said the House expresses concern over the unjustified interference in political matters.
The House bound the prime minister and the cabinet not to implement the anti-Constitution decision, the resolution read.
It further said parliament rejected the three-member bench’s decision. It also said the recent minority decisions were creating political instability in the country.
The House considers general elections at the same time as a solution to political stability.
The resolution sought a full court review of the verdict. It said the verdict paved the way for divisions among federating units, adding such an act was clearly against the traditions and principles of the Supreme Court.
SC voids ECP postponement of Punjab polls
On April 4, the a three-member special bench of the apex court headed by CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial had declared null and void the election commission’s anouncement of postponement of elections in Punjab to October 8.
The top court ruled that the Constitution and law do not allow the ECP to postpone the elections.Altering the election schedule slightly, the Supreme Court had announced that the elections in Punjab will be held on May 14 instead of April 30. The six-page verdict ruled that as much as the election schedule has been complied with will be maintained.
Appeals against the nomination papers can be filed by April 10, the SC decision stated, adding the election commission’s report will be reviewed in-chamber.
The federal and provincial governments have been asked to assist the election commission under Article 243, and authorities ordered to release Rs21 billion to the ECP by April 10.
The verdict further stated that election commission must submit a report regarding receiving the funds to the Supreme Court. If the funds are not received, the court will issue an order to the relevant authorities, it added.
“If there is a shortage of funds for the KP Assembly, the commission can approach the court,” the court said.
The Punjab caretaker cabinet had also been ordered to submit a security plan to the election commission by April 10, and the federal government to submit a similar plan by April 17, the verdict added.
The SC ruled that the argument that the verdict was 4-3 is against the law. It added that the recent judgement of Justice Qazi Faez Isa does not apply to any pending case.
It further said the KP governor’s lawyer had excused himself from following up on the case, adding if a separate petition is received on the KP polls, it will be dealt with as per the law.
The decision further said the federal government should ensure the deployment of forces, including the Pakistan Army and Rangers.
If the federal and provincial governments violate the order, the commission can approach the court, the court order said.
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