SC summons Deputy Speaker; adjourns hearing till 2pm  

Lahore: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has summoned Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly, Dost Mazari at 2 pm today—directing him to bring all records— while hearing the case on the petition filed against his ruling regarding Chief Minister (CM) Punjab election.

According to details, a three-member bench—headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial—heard Punjab Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s plea against the ruling given by Muhammad Mazari, who annulled 10 votes cast by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) members. 

At the onset of the hearing, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked to bring him a written explanation (exact paragraph) of the ruling—ordering him to submit all the records of the election and defend himself before the court.

Elahi’s side was represented by Barrister Ali Zafar. During the hearing, Justice Ejaz asked Zafar how many members were present in the Punjab assembly.

Barrister Ali Zafar informed the apex court that there were 370 members in the House, adding that “Pervaiz Elahi got 186 votes while Hamza secured 179 votes”.  

He also accused Mazari of violating article 63-A of the constitution.

Zafar also stressed that the deputy speaker “rejected the votes based on a letter” from party head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. 

He further added, “Constitutionally, Elahi won the election, but the Deputy Speaker rejected 10 votes”. 

The apex court issued notices to Hamza Shehbaz, Dost Mazari, Punjab chief secretary, Advocate General of Punjab, and Attorney General of Punjab.

The hearing is being conducted at Supreme Court-Lahore Registry Saturday and, however, has been adjourned till 2 pm.

It is pertinent to mention here that leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) challenged the decision of the Dost Mazari and filed an application in the Supreme Court Lahore Registry through Advocate Amir Saeed Ran last night.