The Supreme Court of Pakistan today resumed hearing of the case pertaining to the elections in Punjab.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial with Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar as its members heard the matter.
Later, the court adjourned hearing of the case till 23rd of this month (Tuesday next.
A three-judge SC bench led by CJP Umar Ata Bandial and comprised of Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar heard the ECP’s review petition on Monday.
The petition was heard a day after the May 14 deadline set by the Supreme Court for holding elections in Punjab was ended.
As the proceedings were set into motion, the CJP observed that the electoral watchdog had raised the issue of funds and security previously. “Today, the ECP has raised a question [mark] regarding the court’s jurisdiction. How can it raise the points which were not taken up in the main case,” the top judge asked, adding that the federal government could have raised this point but they did not file the revision.
The court then decided to issue notices to the respondents in the case and adjourned the hearing until Tuesday of next week.
The court also asked the ECP’s lawyer how much time he needed for his arguments, to which he replied that he needed three to four days.
The CJP declared “The court will hear all the parties in the case.”
Secretary Supreme Court Bar Muqtadar Shah appeared in the court. He said that the Supreme Court Bar and lawyers are with the court, expressing complete solidarity with the judiciary.
PTI’s lawyer Ali Zafar contended before the court that the scope of a review petition was limited. “New points can’t be raised in a review petition,” he added.
The chief justice remarked that he wants to hear the position of the Election Commission if the petition is admissible. The court will also issue notices to the provincial governments and other political parties. Some points need to be pondered and the court will decide about them, he added.
