ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will commence hearing the election delay suo motu at 11:30 am today after political parties failed to begin a dialogue to decide on a date for elections, as instructed by the Supreme Court. (Thursday).
Details
The court had instructed political parties to have talks on April 26 and develop a response by April 27 after providing stakeholders with a chance to come to an understanding at the last hearing.
Since the decree was binding on all authorities and the election date of May 14 was still in effect, political parties had been required to make a decision promptly.
Political players and the public are on edge, awaiting the court’s next move, because no talks took place and the administration refused to follow the April 4 directive.
About Yesterday’s Hearing
As a result of the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s absence, who was supposed to preside over a three-member bench with Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel to hear ordinary cases, there was much concern on Wednesday morning. The top court then amended the roster for Bench-I for the day. However, the bench was delisted due to the CJP’s ill health.
The PTI’s petition requests treason proceedings against the PM and cabinet and asks the court to oversee Punjab and KP matters rather than acting as caretakers.
About Special Benches
But after an announcement in the afternoon made it clear that the CJP-led bench would only take up the case involving the delay in the elections and spend the rest of the day in chambers, the whispers were put to rest.
Two special benches will also sit in Islamabad’s court. One will be made of Justices Ijazul Ahsan, Aminuddin Khan, and Mandokhel, while the other bench will be made up of Justices Akhtar, Naqvi, and Minallah.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi will sit on a two-judge bench in the Karachi Registry.
