Approval of resignations: SC advises PTI to return to National Assembly

Islamabad: The Supreme Court on Thursday advised the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs to return to the National Assembly (NA) by withdrawing their resignations.

According to details, the Supreme Court heard PTI's plea against an Islamabad High Court decision about ‘peacemeal’ approval of the resignations purportedly from its 123 MNAs.

The PTI, in its petition to the apex court, stated that the party wants all of the 123 resignations declared approved. 

During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial advised the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs to withdraw their resignations and return to the National Assembly (NA). 

CJP Bandial said that people had elected MNAs for five years and the PTI must play its role in the Parliament.

The top judge said that floods have displaced millions of people who do not have potable water and food and holding bye-elections on 123 seats would incur huge expenses.

CJP Umar Ata Bandial remarked that take a glance at the country’s economic situation if PTI knew how much money will be spent on holding bye-elections.

The CJP also said that it was difficult to interfere with the work of the speaker and Justice Minallah had given the verdict after careful consideration.

He said that PTI must not act in haste and the court was offering it another opportunity to reconsider its decision.

The court told PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry to seek fresh instruction from the party.

In its original petition before the IHC, it had sought an injunction against NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s decision to approve resignations after giving personal audience to the MNAs — something the PTI has termed as ‘peacemeal’ approval of the resignations.

After the IHC rejected the PTI petition earlier this week, the party challenged the ruling before the apex court.