The Supreme Court adjourned till tomorrow (Friday) its hearing a petition regarding possibility of extra constitutional steps in the pretext of country’s prevailing political turmoil.
Chief of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Dr. Tahir-ul, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan, who have been leading protestors in Islamabad since Friday, were served notices by the apex court yesterday to appear today and explain their anti-government protests.
A five-member larger bench comprising Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and Justice Mushir Alam is hearing the case.
Reports said PTI and PAT leaders received the court summons early morning today. During today’s course of hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan appeared before the bench, whereas PAT did not bother to send anyone to the hearing.
Khan requested the court for time to file his written response, saying that he could not prepare his client’s response since he received the summons late night. At which, CJP allowed him to come up with written response on Friday.
The court later reissued summons to PAT and adjourned the case till Friday.
The court is hearing the matter on a plea filed by Kamran Murtaza, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, who stated that extra constitutional steps are likely to be taken by state functionaries, that can possibly violate citizen’s rights. He has appealed the court to restrain Khan and Qadri from “making illegal and unconstitutional demands.”
The bench has already observed that the apex court can rule against any unconstitutional measure to protect supremacy of the Constitution.
