SC forms larger bench on presidential reference seeking Article 63-A interpretation

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday constituted a five-member larger bench on the presidential reference filed by the government, seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the constitution, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial will head the bench while other members on the bench are Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel.  

The bench will begin hearing of the reference day after tomorrow (Thursday, March 24, 2022). 

At the same time, the court, in its written order, issued notices to the parties, allies of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) at Center, and said if they wanted to become parties to the case, they were welcome.   

The apex court said that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) as well as the opposition parties had raised the issue of ‘partiality’ of the National Assembly (NA) speaker. 

Furthermore, the court said these parties had sought action against him for delaying the NA session to be convened for voting on the opposition’s no-trust motion. “However, the court has made it clear that it will not interfere in the parliamentary matters. And it would be better if members of the parliament (MPs) decide their matters within the parliament,” reads the order.  

The SC further said that Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan had assured that the PTI would bar none of its members from casting vote on the no-trust motion.  

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori