Apex Court accepts PTI’ plea to become a party in EC’s review appeal against Punjab polls order,
Rejects request for immediate suspension of review of judgments law
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday accepted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s plea to become a party in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s review appeal against Punjab polls order, however rejected the request for immediate suspension of review of judgments law.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar conducted the hearing of the review appeal of Election Commission regarding the Punjab elections as well as review of orders and judgments case.
Counsel for PTI, Barrister Senator Syed Ali Zafar requested the Court to allow PTI to become a party in the Election Commission’s review appeal, which was accepted by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court while turning down request of repealing judgment review act forthwith adjourned hearing till today (Wednesday). Arguments of the lawyers against review act would be continued. Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that there is a difference between appeal and review and now through act both have been made similar to each other.
During the hearing, Justice Ijazul Ahsan told counsel for PTI Barrister Ali Zafar that he would be satisfied here. To this, Ali Zafar remarked if such laws were kept on putting in place, then might be law of second appeal is formed. While Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that these chambers have been in lined with curative, adding that review was based on two grounds. He further said would it have not been better that Article 187 of the Constitution would be inserted and continued these issues should been dealt slowly and steadily instead of undertaking these matters forthwith.
The court issued notices to all the parties including the Pakistan Bar Council and Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan. The Supreme Court has also rejected the federal government’s request for a larger bench. The Chief Justice has retained a three-member bench instead of a larger bench for the hearing.
It should be remembered that on April 4, the Supreme Court had ordered to hold elections in Punjab on May 14. The Election Commission had filed a review petition after the decision was not implemented.