Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa leads Supreme Court hearing

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided to postpone the hearing on appeals regarding the reserved seats of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) until June 24. The case will now be heard daily by a full court bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, along with several other justices. The proceedings are being broadcast live on the Supreme Court website and YouTube channel.

During the hearing, the lawyer representing SIC, Faisal Siddiqui, presented arguments. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa instructed Siddiqui to avoid using the term 'Lordship' and to focus on saving time. Siddiqui clarified that SIC participated in the elections as independents, not as a party, which led to the Election Commission of Pakistan rejecting their request for reserved seats.

The court discussed the distinction between a political party and a parliamentary party, as outlined in Article 63-A of the constitution. Justice Muneeb Akhtar emphasized that candidates declaring themselves as party candidates in nomination papers are considered affiliated with that party. The issue of election symbols and party affiliations was also raised.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa stressed the importance of clarity in party affiliations and the implications of candidates switching parties. The court deliberated on defining independent candidates and the role of parliamentary parties in decision-making.

The case before the Supreme Court focuses on candidate eligibility and the recognition of party affiliations in the electoral process. The court will continue examining the legal aspects of party representation and election symbol allocation in upcoming hearings.

The Supreme Court's decision to postpone the hearing on SIC's reserved seats sheds light on the complexities of party affiliations and candidate eligibility in Pakistan's electoral system. As the case unfolds, the court's scrutiny of these issues aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process, ultimately impacting the representation of various parties and independent candidates.