New CM Punjab: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi

Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is now the chief minister (CM) of Punjab as per the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Punjab CM election case.

The apex court has directed Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman to administer oath to Pervaiz Elahi by 11:30pm tonight.

Punjab CM election: Supreme Court to announce verdict in a while

In a plea filed by PML-Q’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the Supreme Court (SC) heard the case regarding Chief Minister (CM) Punjab election and reserved its decision.

The plea was filed against the Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker’s ruling on the day of the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) election (July 22).

The top court will announce the final verdict at 5:45pm today.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial was hearing the case.

Punjab CM election: PPP and Mazari’s lawyers excuse themselves from SC hearing

Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari and Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) lawyers have declined to participate in the Supreme Court (SC) proceedings as they had demanded a full court bench in the case pertaining to the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) election.

Deputy Speaker Mazari’s counsel Irfan Qadir told the bench that his client had told him not to be part of the proceedings. PPP lawyer Farooq H. Naek also came to the rostrum and informed Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial that he would not be part of the proceedings.

At this, the CJP told him that he “is not a party in the case”.

Coalition govt to boycott court proceedings if full bench not constituted

All political parties in the coalition announced that they will boycott court proceedings till a full bench is constituted.

Announcing the decision, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that since the coalition government’s request for the formation of a full court bench was rejected, they have also rejected this decision of the court.

“We will not appear before this bench and will boycott it.”

Punjab CM case: Full court bench rejected

The Supreme Court has rejected the request for a full court bench.

Earlier today, the coalition government had demanded the formation of a full court bench in the case pertaining to Punjab chief minister election.

The three-member SC bench will resume hearing the deputy speaker Punjab Assembly case tomorrow (July 26) at 11am.

More legal clarification needed, CJP Bandial on the formation of full court bench

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has said that the court will decide whether to form a full court bench or not after listening to more legal clarification.

The top court has also said it is uncertain whether the decision on the formation of a full bench will be made today or not.

CJP also remarked that if the situation gets out of hand will we make full bench court.

Full court bench can only be formed in September

During today’s hearing, CJP Bandial remarked that the full court bench can only be formed in September, questioning that should all work be stopped till then?

‘If there is no full court bench, we will boycott the proceedings’: Rana Sanaullah

Prior to the SC’s decision on the formation of full court bench, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that “if the Supreme Court does not form a full court bench, we will boycott the proceedings.” He added that if the full court is not formed then Hamza Shehbaz will not become a party in this case.

Rana Sanaullah gave a reference, he said that in 2015 eight judges had given a decision regarding the party chief.

Along with Rana, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the way the constitution has been interpreted, it is beyond understanding.

Supreme Court reserves verdict on formation of full court bench

After a joint press conference by the members of the ruling coalition and requests made by SCBA and lawyers, the top court has reportedly reserved its verdict on the formation of a full court bench. The hearing has been adjourned till 5:30pm.

PTI’s leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the top court will announce whether they are hearing the petition or a full court bench. Taking a jibe at the government and its coalition partners’ lawyers, Chaudhry said that they didn’t have any solid arguments.

The Supreme Court (SC) has resumed its hearing on a plea filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s petition challenging Punjab Assembly (PA) Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari’s decision in the Chief Minister (CM) run-off election on July 22.

SC resumes the hearing

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial along with Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, is holding the hearing at SC’s Room 1.

On Saturday, the top court said that Hamza Shehbaz would work as trustee CM till Monday and adjourned the hearing.

Petition on Article 63-A should be heard: Ahsan Bhoon

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ahsan Bhoon requested the Supreme Court on Sunday to take up the Bar’s already filed review petition against the “short judgment passed by the apex court” on May 17 in the presidential reference over the interpretation of Article 63-A.

Bhoon underlined that it was the right time for the apex court to take up the SCBA petition and decide the matter once and for all “so that no one dares to point finger towards the apex court”.

“What’s the hurry Bhoon Sahab, let us hear this case first,” said CJP Bandial during today’s proceedings.

The bench called former SCBA head Advocate Latif Afridi who said that the country’s current political situation is “very complicated” at the moment and requested a full court bench.

Elahi’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar said the Bar presidents should not be involved in such matters.

The deputy speaker’s lawyer, Irfan Qadir, also requested the court to constitute a full bench. At this, the CJP asked him the grounds on which a full court bench should be constituted.

Qadir requested the bench to read paragraphs one and two of its decision on the presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A, stating that everything would then be clarified.

Law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the court that he has received some important information. At this, the top court asked him to sit. The court also directed Hamza’s lawyer Mansoor Awan not to take directions from Tarar.

SC shouldn’t be blackmailed: Fawad Chaudhry

While talking to the media, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry said that PTI has no issue with a full court bench.

“The party has reservations that SC shouldn’t be blackmailed. Otherwise, it is up to the chief justice to make a full court bench,” said Chaudhry.

SC hearing on Punjab CM election: Political leaders banned to enter court

Before the hearing, all the political leaders were banned from entering SC for the hearing on the matter of the election of the Punjab CM. Strict security arrangements were also being made

An official of the Islamabad police said only leaders of respondent parties would be allowed to enter the court premises with the permission of the SC administration. He added that political parties had provided lists of leaders in this regard.

“No rally, procession, or gathering will be allowed in the Red Zone, including around the Supreme Court”, he said.*