SC ruling on reserved seats: SIC objects to constitutional bench hearing review pleas

ISLAMABAD: The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) on Tuesday raised objections over the constitutional bench hearing review petitions against the apex court judgment that had declared that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was entitled to get reserved seats for women and minorities in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies.

An 11-member constitutional bench of the apex court heade d by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard the review petitions of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians (PPP-P) against the apex court judgment on reserved seats.

During the hearing, Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for the SIC, told the court that his client has objection over the bench and sought time for filing a proper application regarding the objections on the bench.

Justice Aminuddin Khan asked the counsel as to why the objection to the bench was being raised only during the third hearing. Similarly, Justice Musarrat Hilali questioned as to why the application was not filed earlier if the lawyer was aware that the case was in progress.

Faisal Siddiqui replied that they were not formally notified and only learned of the proceedings via television while on the second hearing he could not appear before the court as there was an emergency like situation in the country due to Pakistan-India war and no flights were available.

Justice Aminuddin Khan cautioned the SIC counsel not to make political statements in court, reminding him that this was an eleven-member constitutional bench with other cases to hear.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, however, observed that everyone deserves a fair opportunity to be heard and supported allowing time to file the objection.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar suggested giving them until the next day. Justice Musarrat Hilali said even an hour might be sufficient. Faisal Siddiqui however, sought two days for filing the application. He submitted that the court should at least first take up the matter of objections on the bench. Counsel for the PMLN, Haris Azmat, submitted before the court that he has filed additional grounds in his review petition. He told the court that Makhdoom Ali Khan, representing private parties, should be heard first.

Justice Aminuddin Khan observed that all the parties in the instant case should settle this matter among themselves and adjourned the hearing until May 19.