The National Assembly of Pakistan has passed a resolution to form a committee that will file a reference against the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial. The motion was presented during a session that suspended the routine business of the house. The resolution comes amidst a backdrop of political tensions and differences between the top judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, addressed the house and stressed the need for the parliament to send a strong message to defend the country’s territory. He expressed concerns about a section of the judiciary granting “unprecedented concessions” to PTI Chairman Imran Khan in corruption cases. Leader of Opposition Raja Riaz condemned recent violent acts in the country and held elements of the PTI responsible for the attacks on the Corps Commander House in Lahore. Riaz called for solidarity with the armed forces.
Salahuddin of the MQM-Pakistan party denounced the recent violent acts and criticized the judiciary for allegedly giving concessions to Imran Khan, who was believed to be behind the destruction of public and private properties. The situation has escalated tensions between the top judges of the Supreme Court and the government.
Reports suggest that Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial’s bench remains firm in its decision to hold provincial elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, despite the government’s disapproval. However, divisions among the judges of the Supreme Court have emerged, with some opposing the court’s “suo moto” powers that they believe have been arbitrarily exercised by Chief Justice Bandial. These judges have called for a larger bench to address the ongoing political turmoil in the country.
Meanwhile, the military establishment is backing the government led by Shehbaz Sharif, supporting their stance against holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the security environment. The military has informed Chief Justice Bandial and other judges about the unsuitable conditions for conducting elections in these provinces.
The situation reflects the deepening divide between the judiciary and the government, with political tensions reaching a seemingly irreconcilable point. The resolution passed by the National Assembly sets the stage for further actions and discussions regarding the reference against Chief Justice Bandial. The outcome of these developments will have significant implications for the future of Pakistan’s judiciary and its relationship with the government.
