Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa reprimanded PTI lawyer Latif Khosa for making baseless allegations against a constitutional body during the court’s hearing of the PTI’s petition seeking initiation of contempt charges against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The bench, headed by CJP Isa, also comprised Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali. The hearing, which was aired live on the SC’s website, came in response to the PTI’s allegations of conspiracies to exclude it from the Feb 8 general elections.
The previous day, the ECP informed the Supreme Court that 76% of the nomination papers filed by PTI candidates for the upcoming general elections had been accepted, countering the party’s claims of a lack of a level playing field. The ECP concluded in its response submitted to the apex court that the allegations made by PTI were baseless and no contempt charges could be established against the ECP.
During the hearing, PTI lawyers Khosa and Advocate Shoaib Shaheen appeared before the court and the Punjab advocate general presented a report submitted by the chief secretary in connection with its directives. CJP Isa questioned the PTI lawyers on their response to the comprehensive report and reiterated the importance of evidence to back up any allegations made against a constitutional body.
The chief justice expressed displeasure at the counsel’s interruptions and urged the PTI lawyer to focus on facts and leave out dramatics. He also emphasized that the court’s role was not to take over the functions of the ECP and urged the PTI to approach election tribunals to address their grievances.
In conclusion, CJP Isa highlighted the importance of backing up allegations against a constitutional body with proof and reiterated the court’s commitment to addressing genuine concerns.