PTI leaders have no legal standing in Parliament: Former CJP

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice (retd) Ifthikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has written a letter to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadif informing him of the constitutional and legal standing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders who had resigned from Parliament.

In the letter the former CJP writes that PTI leaders have no constitutional standing in Parliament following their resignations. According to Article 64 of the Constitution the seats of Parliamentarians who resign fall vacant, the former CJP writes.

The former CJP informs NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq that it was his constitutional responsibility to accept the resignations and ensure that the Election Commission of Pakistan conducts by-elections.

Justice (retd) Chaudhry in the letter takes the stance that Ayaz Sadiq did not have the legal authority to refuse the voluntary resignations of lawmakers. He adds that the NA Speaker was constitutionally bound to issue an order pertaining to the resignations. PTI MNAs submitted their resignations on 22 August and there had been no request made for their withdrawal.