No cause list, no hearing on pleas by ECP, PTI, registrar informs CJP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Registrar has informed Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa that neither any cause list was issued nor any hearing was held in any court on the pleas of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the matter related to reserved seats, it is learnt. According to sources, the Registrar sent a report to the CJP on the matter, saying that the explanation order was put on the website of the apex court on the direction of a staff member of a judge.

On September 14, the Supreme Court had directed the ECP to implement in letter and spirit, its judgement delivered on July 12 on reserved seats, warning that refusal by the electoral body to perform legally binding obligation may result in serious consequences.

The eight-member majority judges in Chambers had issued order on the ECP plea seeking guidance on the point that in the absence of a valid organisational structure of PTI who, on behalf of the party, would confirm the political affiliation of returned candidates (MNAs and MPAs), who have filed their statements in the light of July 12 order.

The eight judges are Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.

“The continued failure of, and refusal by, the commission to perform this legally binding obligation may, have consequences,” the four-page order said.

Later on, the CJP on a note of the Deputy Registrar had sought answers from Registrar on nine questions. In response, it was learnt that the Registrar Supreme Court informed the Chief Justice that on the pleas of ECP and PTI, no cause list was issued and no hearing was held in any court on these petitions.

It was further learnt that the Registrar further intimated to chief justice that no information could be collected regarding the chamber hearing on these pleas besides stating that before uploading the said order of September 14 on the website, no file was sent to the Registrar’s Office.

Meanwhile, no press release was issued from the Registrar Office till the filing of this report.

APP adds: Meanwhile, the Ministry of Law and Justice clarified that no notification has been issued regarding the appointment of a new Chief Justice of Pakistan. The ministry termed the notification as fake, which is viral on social media and claiming the appointment of Syed Mansoor Ali Shah as the new CJP.