Pakistan

Why shouldn’t SC try Qasim Suri for abrogating Constitution? asks CJP Isa

Published

6 months ago

Farwa

Qasim Suri did not hold [voting] on the no-confidence motion: CJP.
Lashkari Raisani challenged Suri’s victory in 2018 elections.
Suri disqualification, re-election matter infructuous: counsel.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has observed why should not the apex court proceed against former National Assembly deputy speaker and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Qasim Suri for abrogating the Constitution.

“Qasim Suri did not hold [voting] on the no-confidence motion. He became the cause of the constitutional crisis in the country,” the CJP remarked while referring to the 2022 crisis related to the ouster of then-prime minister Imran Khan via parliamentary vote.

The CJP said it was suggested that Suri be tried under Article 6 for committing treason. “Then tell us, why we should not proceed against you on abrogation of Constitution?”

The CJP made these remarks during the hearing of a plea filed by Suri in 2019 against the election tribunal’s decision to declare his election from NA-265 (Quetta- II) void on September 27, same year.

In October 2019, a three-member bench of the apex court headed by then Justice Umar Ata Bandial suspended the order of the election tribunal and restored the NA membership of Qasim Suri till the matter was decided by the court.

Baloch leader Lashkari Raisani had challenged the Suri’s victory from the Quetta’s constituency in the 2018 elections.

The matter has been lying pending before the apex court since then.

A three-member headed by the CJP took up the matter today (Tuesday).

During the hearing of the case, Suri’s counsel Naeem Bukhari told the bench that the matter of his client’s disqualification and re-election in his constituency has now become infructuous.

At which, the counsel for Raisani said Suri served as the deputy speaker illegally and demanded that he should be asked to return the perks and privileges that he “enjoyed” during the stay period.

The CJP said the Balochistan High Court (BHC) tribunal had directed to re-conduct the elections in Suri’s NA-265 constituency.

Lawyer Bukhari said his client had stepped down as the National Assembly member.

“Then why did you file an appeal?” the CJP inquired.

Bukari replied that the Supreme Court suspended the tribunal’s decision in 2019

“How are you saying that the Supreme Court suspended the decision? You have asked for a stay order from the Supreme Court which was granted,” the CJP noted.

The top judge said if the apex court was “being used” in the past then he wanted to fix the mistake.

“If something went wrong, then the entire election of 2018 will be reviewed,” he added.

During the case’s hearing, the CJP also inquired about the dissolution of the National Assembly by President Alvi on the advice of then prime minister Imran Khan on April 3, 2022.

The CJP said the deputy speaker dissolved the assembly illegally and referred to the SC’s April 7, 2022 decision saying that a five-member bench recommended holding trial of Suri under Article 6 for committing high treason.

“Whoever violates the Constitution will have to face the consequences,” the CJP stated.

CJP Isa also resolved to end interference in the internal matters of the Supreme Court, saying “if the fixing of cases in the Supreme Court continues to be manipulated then the old matters will also be fixed”.

After Bukhari asked CJP if was angry with him or the system, CJP Isa said he was admitting that there had been manipulation in the Supreme Court.

“Qasim Suri should also admit his mistake,” the CJP remarked.

The SC adjourned the hearing of the case for a month and summoned Suri, Raisani and SC registrar in a personal capacity.

Latest News

Rainfall throughout the night stops flights in Lahore.

Published

17 hours ago

Farwa

Allama Iqbal International Airport experienced many hours of flight disruption due to the intense rainfall and windstorms that occurred overnight in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.

Aviation sources claim that because of the monsoon weather, the flight operation was unable to operate between 3 and 4 am.

It is possible that the planes will arrive at the airport at 4 am.

Amidst delays in foreign airline flights, three aircraft made landings in Multan and Peshawar.

Riyadh flights arrived in Peshawar Airport, while flights scheduled to land in Lahore in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain ended up landing in Multan Airport.

Seven hours later than scheduled, the Qatar Airways flight from Doha arrived in Lahore.

Because of the bad weather, there are delays in the arrival and departure of numerous international planes.

Latest News

Changes to Pakistan’s Test team could be significant for the Bangladesh series.

Published

17 hours ago

Farwa

Major changes to Pakistan’s team are anticipated ahead of the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, sources in Lahore have revealed.

As the team gets ready for the series, meetings with the players are planned for next week.

It is predicted that the Test squad would undergo several changes. The team’s lineup is expected to be strengthened by the likely inclusion of Muhammad Huraira. Key players like Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub, and Nauman Ali, whose contributions are vital to the team’s success, struggle to get a spot on the squad.

Furthermore, according to sources, Imamul Haq or Sahibzada Farhan are anticipated to be added to the team, subject to additional assessment. Furthermore, following a fitness assessment, Amir Jamal and Hasan Ali’s futures will be determined.

The ultimate selection for the Test team will take place following Red Ball head coach Jason Gillespie’s return to Pakistan. The ultimate squad that will play Bangladesh in the forthcoming Test series will be greatly influenced by his assessments and thoughts.

Pakistan is scheduled to visit New Zealand in March and April of 2025, according to the country’s official cricket schedule, which was released earlier this month.

Throughout their visit, the Pakistan cricket team will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in an exciting series.

The T20I series, which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 16, will serve as the tour’s opening event.

Latest News

PM Meets With KP Lawmakers: Promises Progression and Relief Efforts in Province

Published

17 hours ago

Farwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhawa lawmakers are given assurances by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the province’s development, namely in the amalgamated districts, with a particular emphasis on the provision of standard health and educational facilities.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa National and Provincial Assembly members paid a visit to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at PM House.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the PML-N Government has always given priority to the development of the combined districts.

The prime minister promised that the combined Districts would have standard health and educational facilities, and that Danish Schools would be established nearby to offer local pupils an education of the highest caliber possible.

The PM also underlined the importance of promoting solar energy, combating electricity theft, and helping the middle class and impoverished.

He said that in order to boost the agriculture sector’s growth, expand the amount of land under cultivation, and reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign fuel imports, the government was converting agricultural tubewells to solar energy nationwide.

According to PM Shehbaz Sharif, the government recently provided significant reduction from electricity rates for those with low and moderate incomes.

At the event, he also announced the creation of a committee headed by the deputy prime minister, whose goal will be to identify long-term solutions to the issues facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s elected officials.

He argued that in order to preserve the nation from going into default, the current government had to make difficult political choices in order to revitalize the economy.

The parliamentarians gave Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif high marks for his visionary leadership in transforming Pakistan’s economy.