Dissident MPs cannot cast their votes: SC

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday gave verdict that the dissident members of the parliament cannot cast their votes against their parliamentary party's directives.

While giving its verdict on the presidential reference seeking the interpretation of Article 63(A) of the constitution, the top court said that the article concerned cannot be interpreted alone.

The apex court wrapped up the hearing of reference filed by President Arif Alvi nearly two months back.

In the majority verdict of 3-2, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar agreed that dissident members' votes should not be counted, while Justice Jamal Mandokhail and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel agreed.

The decision comes after the presidential reference, the hearings for which continued for 58 days since its filing on March 21. The top court had reserved the verdict today afternoon after 20 hearings.