Punjab CM election case: SC rejects appeal on full court bench formation

Islamabad: The Supreme Court Monday rejected the appeal of the coalition government regarding the formation of a full court bench to hear Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervez Elahi's petition challenging the ruling of Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari which declared Hamza Shahbaz Sharif winner in Punjab Chief Minister’s re-election. 

According to details, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has announced the reserved verdict.

This comes after the apex court heard arguments from party lawyers — seeking the formation of a full court.

Supreme Court of Pakistan today resumed hearing the petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Qaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari's ruling. 

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.  

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

PDM – a ruling alliance on Monday demanded the formation of a full court bench of the Supreme Court for a hearing petition regarding the election of Chief Minister Punjab, saying this would defeat all conspiracies against democracy and democratic culture.

The PDM leaders said they were not objecting to the powers of the apex court, however, they only wanted all judges should hear the petition and their verdict should be acceptable to all.

They opined during the past few years it was observed that a bench comprising specific three honorable judges has been listening to cases of political nature.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Amir and PDM President, Maulana Fazlur Rehman along with Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz, Chairman Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PML-Q’s Tariq Bashir Cheema, ANP’s Aimal Wali Khan, MQM’s Usama Qadri, leader of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Khalid Magsi, leader of Balochistan National Party (BNP) Agha Hassan Baloch and independent MNAs Aslam Bhutani and Mohsin Dawar were addressing a joint press conference centered on the current political situation that took a tailspin after Hamza Shahbaz’s election as Chief Minister of Punjab.

Other senior leaders of the PDM and cabinet members present on the occasion included Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Environment Sherry Rehman, Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir, Minister Communications Maulana Asad Mehmood, and PM’s Adviser Amir Muqam.