Mazari's ruling: SC reserves judgement; verdict to be announced at 5:45pm

Islamabad: A three-member bench reserved its verdict on Tuesday (today) on Pakistan Muslim League Q (PML-Q) leader Pervaiz Elahi’s petition against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mazar’s ruling on Chief Minister Punjab re-elections. 

As per details, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that the verdict will be announced at 5:45pm.

The counsel for Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari— Irfan Qadir— and the counsel of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)—Farooq H Naek— Tuesday boycotted proceedings, informing the apex court that their clients has instructed them ‘not to participate further’.

According to details, the top court of Pakistan resumed hearing the case regarding the controversial ruling of Deputy Speaker Mazari in the Punjab chief minister’s re-election. 

The proceedings commenced shortly after 11:30 am with a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial presiding over the hearing.

At the outset of the hearing, Irfan Qadir—Deputy Speaker’s counsil— informed the bench that his client had reservation on its yesterday’s verdict of turning down a plea for forming full court bench, therefore, “We are boycotting the court proceedings in the case,” adding that  “I will not be a part of further hearings”. 

The prosecutor also announced to file a review petition against the SC verdict. 

Both counsels, however, stayed in the courtroom and observed the case proceedings.

The top judge, then, directed Parvez Elahi’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar to present his arguments in the case, adding: "Those who are boycotting court proceedings should show some courtesy".

"Thankfully, they have enough grace to sit in court to hear the proceedings," added CJP Bandial.

Subsequently, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) counsel Imtiaz Siddiqui began his arguments.

The Chief Justice reiterated that a full bench could not be formed till the second week of September. 

"Because of this case, the province is suffering from crisis," he stressed, cautioning that: "Further delay will not be tolerated".

The court then adjourned proceedings till 2:30 pm.

Dost Mazari, in his ruling, had rejected 10 votes of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid's (PML-Q) members with reference to the Supreme Court's verdict, stating that votes of those lawmakers, who have defied the party leadership's instructions, would not be counted.