CJP Isa rejects PTI’s 'baseless' objection to Article 63-A bench formation

Barrister Ali Zafar argued that PTI was not given a prior notice, but Chief Justice rejected the claim as baseless.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) objections against the bench formed to hear the review petition on Article 63-A.

The objections were raised during the case's hearing on Wednesday, where the PTI argued that the bench had been constituted improperly, but the Chief Justice firmly dismissed these claims.

PTI's legal counsel, Barrister Ali Zafar, argued that the bench’s formation did not follow proper legal procedures and that the party had not been notified adequately in advance about the hearing.

Zafar contended that this lack of notice compromised the fairness of the proceedings and demanded that the bench be reconstituted according to legal norms.

Chief Justice Isa swiftly rejected PTI’s objections as baseless.

He clarified that the bench's formation was in full compliance with judicial procedures, stating, “We all agreed as a court to reject the objections raised against the bench’s legality.”

The Chief Justice reiterated that the decision was unanimous among the judges.

The hearing turned tense when PTI lawyer Tayyab Mustafain Kazmi threatened the court by claiming that hundreds of PTI lawyers were prepared to prevent an unfavourable ruling.

Chief Justice Isa responded sternly, questioning whether Kazmi expected the country's institutions to be governed by threats. “We will continue with these proceedings regardless of the pressure,” the Chief Justice stated, making it clear that the judiciary operates independently.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail added that there is a worrying trend of criticising the judiciary when rulings do not favour certain political parties.

“Judges are not here to be influenced by threats or public pressure,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of judicial independence in Pakistan’s democracy.

Despite the heated exchanges, Chief Justice Isa instructed Barrister Ali Zafar to proceed with his arguments.

PTI’s objection to the bench formation was dismissed, and the hearing continued.

The court reaffirmed that the judiciary would not be influenced by external pressures and would continue its work impartially.

The case revolves around PTI’s review of the Supreme Court’s earlier interpretation of Article 63A, which deals with disqualifying lawmakers who defy party policies.

The decision on this matter holds significant implications for political discipline within Pakistan's party system, making the ongoing case a focal point of political interest.