Mizari’s ruling: SC resumes hearing on Pervez Elahi's petition

Islamabad: Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday resumed hearing on a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League- Qaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari's ruling which declared Hamza Shahbaz Sharif winner in Punjab Chief Minister’s re-election. 

At the last hearing, a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, had allowed Hamza to remain “trustee” chief minister till Monday (today).

Prior to the hearing, the Supreme Court barred ministers and politicians from entering its premises, stating only leaders of respondent parties would be allowed to enter with the permission of the SC administration.  

During the proceedings, the three-member bench called former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Latif Afridi to the rostrum.

Umar Ata Bandial observed that several former SCBA presidents were present in the courtroom.

He remarked that the ongoing case is being directly linked to the SC’s interpretation of Article 63-A. 

Pakistan's current political situation was 'very complicated', said Latif Afridi, adding that the SCBA’s petition for review of the Article 63-A interpretation is pending adjudication.

In the meantime, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz Sharif has filed a separate petition, seeking formation of a full bench-- a demand which has also been endorsed by leaders of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in today’s press conference.