LAHORE : April 2,2023: As chief justice of Pakistsan (CJP) and the federal government stand- off continues , the People Democratic Movement (PDM) has decided to boycott further hearing into the case regarding delay in holding elections in the Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhaw (KPK).
The ruling PDM held a daylong huddle here on the hearing into the case in question on Sunday and noted in its communique that the CJP, Umar Atta Bandial , should not go ahead with his 3-member controversial bench to which it has already shown mistrust and rather should form a full bench to hear the case.
PDM in its communique said CJP’s insistence to go ahead with hearing into the case despite a stated position of the government and its allies show extra ordinary interest of three-member bench in the matter .The communique added that PDM shows strong concern over rejection of the government demand by CJP of forming a full bench to hear the case.
It urged upon three-member bench led by CJP not to give any controversial decision that could create more political and otherwise instability in the country.
The ruling alliance also ruled out any possibility of talks with Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) for holding elections in the provinces prior to October this year.
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Interior minister , Rana Sanaullah , hinted at moving the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against CJP and other two judges who are part of the bench hearing the case.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo , Mian Nawaz Sharif , later endorsed PDM decision to boycott the hearing of three-member bench led by CJP into the case of delay in holding elections in the KPK and Punjab.
Mian Nawaz Sharif reiterated his demand that a full court of the apex court should hear the case.
In a related development , Jamaat e Islami (JI) has also urged CJP to form a full court to hear the case. JI amir , senator, Sirajul Haq, in his statement on Sunday said he believes the parliament was a supreme institution and CJP should not take any decision that could give an impression of friction between the court and parliament.
CJP had rejected the government demand to form a full court to hear the case on Friday and adjourn the hearing till Monday morning.
After PDM announcement to boycott the hearing in the case if the same three-member bench ,it is evident that none will appear before the bench from the government side. Any decision if taken by CJP led 3-member bench could create extraordinary situation in Pakistan instantly.
