CJP seeks clarification from SC registrar on reserved seats case

Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, has demanded answers from the Supreme Court’s Deputy Registrar regarding a miscellaneous application filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on reserved seats. The Chief Justice raised nine questions in response to an explanation provided by eight judges in the case.

Chief Justice Isa questioned the timing of the applications filed by both the ECP and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He asked why these applications were not forwarded to the Practice and Procedure Committee. Additionally, he inquired how the hearing was scheduled without a cause list and why relevant notices were not issued to the concerned parties, including the attorney general.

The chief justice also asked in which courtroom or chamber the applications were heard and why a cause list was not issued for the hearing. He raised concerns about the original file and order being uploaded without being submitted to the Supreme Court Registrar.

Furthermore, Chief Justice Isa requested an explanation on who ordered the publication of the order on the Supreme Court’s website.

Earlier in the day, PTI approached the Supreme Court, filing a petition regarding the allocation of reserved seats. PTI's counsel, Uzair Bhandari, argued that the amendment to the Election Act does not apply to the Supreme Court's July 12 decision and that the ECP is bound to implement that decision.

PTI's petition seeks a court declaration stating that the National Assembly speaker’s letter regarding the July 12 decision holds no legal value. PTI also requests that the ECP reject the NA speaker's letter and halt the distribution of reserved seats to other political parties.

The PTI has urged the Supreme Court to ensure the ECP complies with the July 12 ruling and blocks the allocation of these seats to other political entities.

This development follows a recent letter by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to the ECP, urging respect for parliamentary sovereignty in allocating reserved seats to PTI. The speaker referenced the Elections (Second Amendment) Act, 2024, which restricts party-switching by independent candidates and overrides the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling.