In a recent hearing, Justice Munib Akhtar questioned the election commission’s decision to deny the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) its reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies despite accepting it as a parliamentary party. The 13-member full court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the appeal of the SIC challenging the verdict of Peshawar High Court denying the party reserved seats for women and minorities in the National and provincial assemblies.
During the proceedings, various legal arguments were presented, including the issue of independent candidates and the criteria for forming a parliamentary party. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan highlighted the constitutional requirements for parliamentary representation and the role of independent candidates in the electoral process.
The counsel for the SIC, Faisal Siddiqi, emphasized the notification issued by the National Assembly Secretariat confirming the status of the SIC as a parliamentary party and the acceptance of independent candidates into the party by the election commission. This prompted Justice Munib Akhtar to question the election commission’s stance on the SIC’s party status and its subsequent denial of reserved seats.
The hearing also raised concerns about the election commission’s interpretation of the Constitution and its handling of the parliamentary party status, leading to a debate on the legal and constitutional implications of the commission’s actions.
Overall, the hearing shed light on the intricacies of parliamentary representation and the election commission’s role in ensuring fair and transparent electoral processes. The court adjourned the hearing for further deliberation on the matter.
