Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa stated on Tuesday that the Supreme Court aims to swiftly conclude proceedings regarding the issue of lifetime disqualification to avoid any confusion for returning officers, with the next general elections scheduled to be held in a little over a month.
The CJP made these comments during a session of the seven-member larger bench, which included Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.
The hearing began with Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan expressing his desire for the court to revisit the law due to “certain contradictions” in a previous judgment by Samiullah Baloch.
While supporting the amendment limiting disqualification to five years, the AGP urged the court to review its earlier ruling on Nawaz’s lifetime disqualification, referencing a SC order from December 11, 2023. During the proceedings, the CJP inquired about the respondents in favour of lifetime disqualification, receiving affirmative responses from petitioner Sanaullah Baloch, advocate Khurram Raza, and Usman Karim. However, Mir Badshah Hussain Qaiserani’s counsel Saqib Jillani opposed it, aligning with the AGP’s position. Jillani stated his support for the existing law legislated by the federal government.
CJP Isa then questioned the stance of provincial advocate generals, and they also indicated their support for the AGP’s argument.
