Plea seeks declaration of SIC as non-parliamentary party

Petition argues inclusion of PTI-backed independent lawmakers violation of constitution

ISLAMABAD:

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court urging a ruling to categorise the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the newfound haven for PTI-backed independent lawmakers, as a non-parliamentary party.

The petition argued that the inclusion of independent members in the SIC should be deemed a violation of multiple articles in the Constitution, specifically Articles 5, 9, 17, 25, and 51.

It further implored the top court to restrain the speakers of the national and provincial assemblies from recognising the Sunni Ittehad Council as a political party.Highlighting that the SIC failed to secure even a single seat in the elections, the petition contended that the inclusion of independent members is contrary to Article 51(6)(d).

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It asserted that independent members should align themselves with the party that emerges victorious in the elections.The petition names the federal and provincial governments, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and the members who joined the Sunni Ittehad Council as parties involved in the case.

This came as 90 MNAs affiliated with PTI opted to join the SIC after participating in the general elections as independent candidates, aiming to secure reserved seats. However, the SIC remains deprived of the reserved seats.