Either practice Constitution or feudal system in Pakistan: CJP 

Islamabad: The hearing on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) contempt of court petition related to level playing field is underway in the Supreme Court today (Wednesday).

According to the details, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa comprising of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarat Hilali is hearing the case.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa asked PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen to come to the rostrum for the arguments as it was his application.

Lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said: “Latif Khosa is a senior lawyer, I have requested arguments from him and it stand with him”.

Chief Justice expressed his displeasure on writing ‘Sardar’ along with the name of Latif Khosa.

He stated that stop writing these words like Sardar, Nawab and Peer. Since 1976, the feudal system has ended, either run the country with the Constitution of Pakistan or based on feudal system. Stop making fun of the constitution.

Lawyer Latif Khosa clarified that ‘Sardar’ is written on his identity card, therefore it has also been written in the court.

Speaking to Latif Khosa, the Chief Justice directed him to leave Sardar and Nawab and now come out of slavery, do not try to increase your rank by writing Sardar.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar stated that this is a contempt of court petition, not a new case, the main case has been disposed of on December 22.

‘Your petition contains the names of many people who have insulted the court, has the Election Commission committed contempt of court or has the ECP pronounced any decision about you or it issued orders to the Provincial Election Commission, Justice Mazhar shoot multiple questions.

The Chief Justice, while talking to Latif Khosa, said that if the Election Commission has committed any contempt, then show the evidence. On which Latif Khosa said that I have brought a CD, it has all the evidence. Our leaders were not allowed to submit their nomination papers, the whole country witnessed what was happening with PTI.

Qazi Faez stated: “Don't make political speeches here, talk about the constitution and the law. You are saying that the Inspector General (IG) and the Chief Secretary took action. What do the IG and the Chief Secretary have to do with the election”? The Election Commission has to conduct transparent elections, not them. The petition for contempt of court is against the ECP, tell which order of the Supreme Court has been contempt by the Commission.

He also stated that he does not understand why they are hearing this contempt of court petition. If there is a problem with the IG and the Chief Secretary, file a petition against them. Do you want action against individuals or against the Election Commission?

Justice Muhammad Ali said how many nomination papers were approved by PTI's national and provincial assemblies? You are telling about rejection of nomination papers, tell also about approval.

You wrote, according to social media, so many nomination papers were rejected, doesn't PTI have the data of approval or rejection of candidates' papers? ‘Major family’ is written in the application, is anyone contesting major elections, added Mazhar.

Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa added that those whose nomination papers were rejected will appeal, do you want the Supreme Court to play the role of the Election Commission?

Latif Khosa said that the nomination papers of only one political party are being rejected. On which the Chief Justice said that the mic is being turned towards you, you should make a political speech of PTI. You are giving a political answer in response to everything. It is a court of law, repeatedly said courts stand behind every political party for democracy and elections.

The lawyer added that you should listen to me too. I have been a lawyer for 55 years. If you have not received a copy of the returning officer's order for three days, where should I appeal? On which Justice Qazi said that the Election Commission gave a detailed implementation report on December 26 on the order of December 22.

Latif demanded time till tomorrow to see the Election Commission's report. On which the Chief Justice said are we supposed to hear your case every day? The court should not do any other work? This is a court, not an arena.

The lawyer of PTI said that you should also look at the letter of the Provincial Election Commission. Responding to which Justice Qazi said that the Provincial Election Commission wrote the letter on December 24, while the implementation report was submitted on December 26.

Latif Khosa said, “Let me play the video. The whole world saw what happened to PTI on the media”. The Chief Justice said I did not see it because I don't watch the media. You are talking here and there again, talk about the Election Commission.

“Show the complaint you filed in the Election Commission,” said CJP. On which Latif Khosa could not show the copy of the complaint filed in the ECP. The Chief Justice said, You are wasting your time. You should submit the report once the elections are done, there is time for it. He also directed the lawyer to approach the Tribunal on the decision of the Returning Officers.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired whether there is anyone from the Election Commission. On which the DG Law came to the Election Commission rostrum and told that Tehreek-e-Insaf came to the Commission, we heard them and issued the order.

Justice Mazhar asked when the last day of appeal against rejection of nomination papers is. On which the Election Commission representative said today is the last day of appeal, the tribunals will make decisions by January 10.

The Chief Justice told PTI's lawyer Latif Khosa that you have an appeal forum, use it, if you do not get relief from the appeal forum, then come to the Supreme Court.

Latif Khosa said that what is happening has never happened in the history of the country, how can anyone turn a blind eye to the worst situation in the country?

By issuing notices to the IG, Chief Secretary and Advocate General Punjab, the hearing of the case was adjourned till January 8 and said that the Election Commission had issued instructions in response to the letter of the Election Commission Punjab.