National Assembly passes resolution rejecting SC’s judgment on Punjab, KP polls, asks PM, cabinet to not obey it

ISLAMABAD, April 06 (SABAH): The National Assembly (NA) on Thursday passed a resolution against the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s declaration that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone elections in Punjab was “illegal”.

The three-member bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — had also fixed May 14 as the date for the poll in the province.

Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) parliamentary leader Mir Khalid Hussain Magsi presented the resolution before the NA after it was prepared by the coalition parties of the incumbent government.

Reading the resolution out to the assembly, Khalid Magsi said that the three-member bench ignored the majority decision of the four judges who were previously part of the bench. He added that the judgment violated the traditions, precedents and procedures of the court itself.

He continued that the minority was imposed over the majority and that the parliament rejects the decision of the three-member minority bench and declared the decision of the majority bench ineffective according to the Constitution and law.

Khalid Magsi stated that the NA session supported the decision of the three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa to not set the cases filed under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution of Pakistan for hearing until the decisions of the full court meeting.

He expressed serious reservations about the decision of the court to be heard in front of another controversial bench in a hurry and the hasty decision given within a few minutes.

“Such an action is clearly against the traditions and precedents of the Supreme Court, and is unacceptable,” he said, adding that the House expressed concern over undue judicial interference in political matters.

The BAP leader maintained that the “minority ruling” was creating political instability in the country and that the decision paved the way for division into federal units.

The House considers the holding of general elections at the same time across the country to be the solution to all the problems.

“This House rejecting the minority decision of the three-member bench advises the prime minister and the Cabinet to not obey the unconstitutional and unlawful decision”.

He further said that the NA also expressed serious concern over the misinterpretation of Article 63(A) of the Constitution and its rewriting by the Supreme Court.

Khalid Magsi concluded that the full court of the SC should review the decision. The house passed the resolution with majority vote as it was opposed by PTI members Sardar Mohsin Khan Leghari and others.

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also attended the NA session. The prime minister briefly attended the proceedings and left shortly after the resolution was passed.

Earlier, the National Assembly informed that the government is engaged with various countries to enhance export of Pakistani workforce abroad.

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi told the House during Question Hour that these countries include Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Portugal and Romania.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbassi infomred the House that measures had been taken to ensure security and safety of people in the public parks of Islamabad.

He said the government plans to build two new parks in the federal capital.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbassi said seven Sasta Bazaars have been established in the federal capital territory to ensure provision of essential commodities to the people at reduced rates during the holy month of Ramadan.

He said there is a mechanism to determine the prices of essential items and then magistrates monitor the implementation of the rate list.

The Minister said during the holy month of Ramadan, action has been taken against the profiteers and 67 people have been arrested and heavy fines have also been imposed on them.

Murtaza Abbassi said it is for the first time that free flour is being provided to the deserving families.

He said despite difficult economic situation, the government is trying its best to provide relief to the common man.

Responding to another Calling Attention Notice, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi assured that escalators, which have been imported, would soon be installed at the Metro Bus Stations between Faiz Ahmed Faiz and New Islamabad International Airport for facilitation of the commuters.

He recalled that this equipment could not be imported earlier due to certain restrictions by the State Bank of Pakistan.