‘The battle should be fought inside Assembly’: SC

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial heard a plea filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Monday about the lawful proceeding of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly (NA).

During the hearing, which was attended by three bigwigs of the Opposition — PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, SCBA counsel argued that NA Speaker Asad Qaiser summoned the session 17 days after the submission of the no-confidence motion. However, according to Article 95, the session has to be called within 14 days.

He further argued that the no-confidence motion could not be adjourned before voting. To this, CJ observed that it is an “internal matter” and it would be “better if the assembly’s fight is fought inside the assembly”.

Justice Bandial further remarked that the court will not interfere in the assembly’s proceedings.

Moreover, SC said that no one can be prevented from voting by bringing people. About the upcoming marches, the court added that the Opposition will keep the same distance as the government’s from parliament.

According to the SC, a member’s individual vote has no “status”. Justice Munib Akhtar said after joining a political party, a member’s vote is considered a “collective” right.

The petition, which was filed by SCBA says circumstances involving a confrontation between the government and the Opposition could trigger an “anarchic situation” in the country.

About the recent Sindh House attack, Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Qazi Jamilur Rehman gave the incident’s briefing to the court.

Chief Justice Bandial remarked that what happened at the Sindh House did “not seem to be the police’s failure”.

“The main issue is related to stopping Members of National Assembly (MNAs) from voting,” he said.

Before the hearing, Bilawal Bhutto avoided making any political statement. Meanwhile, Maulana Fazl said that it is the first time that he is appearing before the SC.

“This government is illegitimate. Do you want to create sympathy for such an incompetent government,” Fazl asked.