PTI’s allied party moves SC against 26th constitutional amendment

ISLAMABAD: Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) the allied party of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the 26th constitutional amendment.

The petition argues that the 26th constitutional amendment is unconstitutional, illegal and unacceptable.

Also read: Another petition filed in SC against 26th constitutional amendment

Previously on November 8, another petition was filed in the apex court challenging the amendment by Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-Mengal) Chairman Akhtar Mengal, Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) member Fahmida Mirza, National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Mohsin Dawar, and former member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.

Earlier in December, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah formally requested the Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, to convene a full court to examine numerous petitions contesting the validity of the 26th constitutional amendment. Justice Mansoor had also suggested postponing the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) meeting until a decision has been reached on these petitions against the amendment.

CJ Afridi, however, dismissed Justice Mansoor’s suggestions. Most participants in the JCP meeting also agreed with the chief justice’s point of view as well.

The petitioners of all the pleas filed in the apex court so far have contended that in the past, judiciary was used as a tool to interfere in executive and legislative matters but now, through the 26th amendment, the parliament has encroached upon the judicial affairs. They have sought the formation of a full court to take up the petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

GOVT-PTI NEGOTIATIONS ALSO UNDERWAY

It is notable here that the petition from SIC comes in the middle of negotiations between PTI and its allies and the coalition government allies. The National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had suggested to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make a negotiating committee from the government coalition. This came after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar sought NA speaker’s involvement in paving the way for negotiations.

Also read: CJP snubs Justice Mansoor for demanding full court bench on 26th Amendment

Yesterday, both the committees met at the Speaker’s chambers. The government representatives issued a notification after the meeting, saying that the environment was positive. PTI leaders also lent encouragement to the negotiations, saying that dialogue will help in stabilising the political environment of the country.