PTI to challenge ad hoc judges’ appointment in SJC

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced to challenge in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) the likely appointment of ad hoc judges in the Supreme Court.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad after a joint parliamentary meeting of the PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said that the party will approach the Supreme Judicial Council regarding the appointment of ad hoc judges in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Judicial Council is likely to approve the appointment of at least two ad hoc judges in its meeting scheduled for Friday (tomorrow). The appointment of retired judges to the Supreme Court aim to adjudicate over 54,000 pending cases.

Gohar stated that the decision to appoint four ad hoc judges to the Supreme Court for three years is malicious.

Also read: Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar refuses position of ad-hoc judge

He said that ad hoc judges pose a threat to judicial independence and that the issue will be taken to the Supreme Judicial Council. He urged judges not to make this matter controversial, stating that the decision to appoint ad hoc judges is indeed malicious.

He highlighted that appointing four judges during the vacation period for three years is a clear sign of malice.

He referenced a Supreme Court decision in favour of the PTI in the reserved seats case, stating that it is the Supreme Court’s responsibility to implement the decision. He urged the chief justice to enforce the Supreme Court’s verdict without any delay.

He said that the PTI represents 70 per cent of the country’s population and any ban on the party would lead to the government’s downfall. “The PTI remains a patriotic party and will continue to serve the nation,” he said.

Talking to the media, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub accused Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s wife, Sarina Isa, of writing articles against Imran Khan and suggested the chief justice should recuse herself from hearing cases related to Imran Khan. He reiterated his demand for the resignation of the chief election commissioner and other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, and proceedings should be initiated against them under Article 6.

Leader of the Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz said that the ruling party has lost its head and panicked following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the reserved seats case. He said that the decision to ban the PTI was a foolish idea and argued that the current government’s actions are detrimental to the country’s progress.

He referred to a recent Fitch report suggesting that the government is likely to last only 18 months before a technocratic setup takes over.

Senator Faraz stressed that the nation cannot afford further instability and that the country belongs to all its citizens, not just one class. He called attention to the rising costs of living and urged the media to highlight the peoples’ issues.