Justice Rizvi warns against turning Constitutional Court into political arena

ISLAMABAD: Federal Constitutional Court Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi has cautioned that the court should not be turned into a political arena, while urging parties to familiarise themselves with the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The remarks came during a hearing regarding the dismissal of employees from a utility corporation. Petitioner Muzammil Rafique, one of the dismissed employees, was given time by the court to prepare his case. Justice Rizvi noted that Rafique had withdrawn his intra-court appeal against the dismissals from the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Addressing the petitioner, Justice Rizvi said, “You should not focus on the number of dismissed employees. Consult a lawyer, read the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and come prepared for the next hearing.” He also criticised the management of the utility corporation, citing significant financial losses and instances of corruption.

The court also questioned the role of the government in managing the utility stores, noting that the public, rather than the employees, had been the primary beneficiaries. The hearing was subsequently adjourned indefinitely.