The Supreme Court (SC) hearing concerning the establishment of election tribunals began with a heated exchange between Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and PTI lawyer Niazullah Niazi.
Niazi objected to Chief Justice Isa’s presence on the bench, which Isa promptly dismissed.
“Why not refer Niazullah Niazi’s case to the Pakistan Bar Council? Are we here to be insulted? Enough is enough,” CJ Isa stated, highlighting, “We are aware of your political affiliations and will not tolerate continued contempt of the judiciary. This must end.”
CJ Isa clarified that the authority to form benches now resides with the Practice and Procedure Committee, shifting away from previous practices.
Niazi, referencing Imran Khan, remarked, “The one in jail objects that his election symbol was taken away.”
CJ Isa countered, “We provided video link facilities from jail, and no objections were raised then. Ali Zafar did not raise any objections in the intra-party election case either. This defamation of institutions must stop. Newspapers question how the bench was formed. The era of popular decisions is over; now, the committee has the authority to form benches.”
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail added, “Courts do not operate based on public wishes.”
This incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between the judiciary and PTI lawyers.
Advocate Niazi accused CJ Isa in a prior hearing but failed to substantiate his claims.
