ISLAMABAD, Apr 27 (DNA): The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned
indefinitely the hearing of the petition seeking simultaneous elections
in the country after hearing from all the sides about the prospects of
the talks between the government and the opposition.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial declared that political parties should
sit together and find a solution to the issue otherwise the court is
there to act. He remarked the court had proposed political dialogue
keeping in view the prevailing situation in the country. “The political
atmosphere is bitter,” he said.
The Chief Justice remarked “We will issue an order, but there would
neither be any directive nor any timeline regarding the talks.”
The court outright rejected PTI’s request to set a timeframe for the
talks with the government.
CJP Bandial remarked the court could not force the government to enter
into dialogue with the opposition. “There is a proposal, not an order,
to hold talks. For now, the court is not issuing any directive or
timeline,” he made it clear.
The top judge observed that there is Constitution and the apex court’s
judgement if there would be no outcome of the talks.
The CJP made these observations as head of a three-member Supreme Court
bench, and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar,
heard the same-day elections petition. However, the hearing was
adjourned barely an hour after it started with the CJP saying that a
detailed order would be issued later.
As the proceedings were set into motion on Thursday, the court
questioned government’s approach towards holding talks on elections with
CJP Bandial asking what steps the government has so far taken in this
regard. Government is dilly-dallying with the issue, he added.
The Chief Justice maintained that politicians should themselves find
solutions to the problems, adding “the Constitution and our order is
there” if the differences were not sorted out through talks.
A number of politicians and lawyers including PTI’s Shah Mehmood
Qureshi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, JUI’s Mian Aslam Iqbal and
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan were present.
The court once again did not allow Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s request
to become a party in the case.
Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan informed the justices that
the first contact between the government and the opposition took place
on April 19 and it was decided that a meeting will be held on April 26.
The AGP further said that PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique
had met PTI’s Asad Qaiser on April 25, however, the latter said he was
not authorised to decide on the matter of talks. The CJP intervened and
asked: “After Asad Qaiser’s refusal, was an attempt made to find out who
is authorised for the talks?”
Mansoor Awan said despite differences, the government and PTI found a
way forward and apprised the court about the committee formed by Senate
Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani for holding a political dialogue.
The AGP said “The Senate chairman has asked both the government and the
opposition to nominate four names each for the committee.” He further
said he had found out from the media that PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi was
authorised for holding talks with the government.
The CJP inquired: “In what capacity was the Chairman Senate contacted
PTI?” He also remarked that Sanjrani was neither the representative of
the government nor the opposition, adding “If the government was serious
about talks, it would have made efforts itself.”
Justice Bandial observed “The court can’t force the government into
negotiations.” He stressed the court only wanted implementation of the
Constitution so that a way could be found out of the current crisis. “We
don’t need any explanations, tell us a solution,” the CJP said,
highlighting it would take Sanjrani’s committee time to initiate the
talks.
At that point, PPP lawyer Farooq H Naek informed that court that all the
parties in the ruling coalition had agreed on holding talks with the PTI
and Senate was the only forum where all the political parties were
present. He further stated that the Senate chairman was playing the role
of a facilitator and talks would only be held by the political parties.
“This is a political issue and will only be resolved by political
leaders … only politicians should be allowed to decide the future of
politics,” Naek elaborated.
PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi came to the rostrum and reminded everyone
that the apex court had provided the political leaders with a chance for
consensus during the previous hearing. “But the PDM has still not
reached a consensus regarding the talks,” he claimed, adding the PTI is
very seropis about the talks.
The PTI leader disclosed no one had approached his party as yet. “Imran
Khan had named me, Fawad Chaudhry and Ali Zafar for the talks,” he
announced, adding “But to date, no one has contacted me.”
Qureshi then informed the court that the Senate chairman called him
yesterday regarding the committee for political dialogue. “I asked him
where the advisory given by the SC was … the Senate committee is just a
delaying tactic.”
Qureshi further said yesterday’s NA session was a violation of the
parliament’s rules, stressing a matter that was being discussed in the
court could not be dragged into the assembly. “I felt ashamed at hearing
threatening language and tone in the parliament,” he said.
In response to Qureshi, Farooq Naek questioned who was looking down on
the parliament and the court. “We can’t agree with what Qureshi said.
Give your names, we are ready to sit for talks tomorrow,” he added.
