The court set aside all the subsequent steps taken after the rejection of the no-confidence vote and reinstated the National Assembly, reports Asian Lite News
In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled on Thursday that the National Assembly Deputy Speakers ruling to dismiss the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and the subsequent dissolution of the Lower House by the President on the PMs advice were contrary to the Constitution and the law of the land, Express Tribune reported.
The court also ordered to reinstate the National Assembly and summon its session on Saturday to hold voting on a no-trust motion moved against Imran Khan.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, which also included Justices Munib Akhtar, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Ijazul Ahsan and Mazhar Alam Khan, announced the verdict, which was reserved earlier in the day.
The top court also summoned the officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), including its secretary.
Earlier, during a hearing of the case, Bandial, after consultation with his fellow judges, observed that it was clear that the ruling of the Deputy Speaker to dismiss the no-confidence motion submitted against the Prime Minister was “wrong”.
The Chief Justice remarked that there would be no stability in the country even after the restoration of the National Assembly that had been dissolved as a result of the ruling, Express Tribune reported.
Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan argued that everyone needed to be loyal to the state. He said that he is not defending the ruling. “However, I think new elections are the only solution,” he said.
Shortly after the Pakistan Supreme Court restored the National Assembly, Imran Khan called a cabinet meeting on Friday and announced plans to address the nation today.
“I have called a cabinet mtg tomorrow as well as our parliament party mtg; & tomorrow evening I will address the nation. My message to our nation is I have always & will continue to fight for Pak till the last ball,” Imran Khan tweeted.
‘Democracy is the best revenge’
Pakistan’s Opposition leaders celebrated the decision announced by the country’s apex court to nullify the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly, a decision that is being regarded as a huge setback for Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The top court further ruled that the National Assembly session on the no-confidence motion must be held at 10:30 AM on April 9 and must not be adjourned until a vote on the motion.
“…the prime minister (Imran Khan) did not have the right to advise the president to dissolve the assembly […] all the decisions made till date have been nullified,” the top court’s ruling said.
Leader of Opposition in Pakistan’s National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif said the top court’s decision was in line with the expectations of the masses.
“The Constitution has been saved and Pakistan has been saved through this decision […] the court has upheld its independence and respect,” Sharif told media persons.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the court verdict is the victory of the opposition but the victory of Pakistan.
“…This is the victory of the constitution and democracy. Because of this victory, we will move towards the restoration of democracy, restoration of media freedom and empowerment of the people,” Bilawal told media person. Separately, the PPP chairman tweeted: “Democracy is the best revenge! Jiya Bhutto! Jiya Awam! Pakistan Zindabad.”
Imran ruined Pakistan: Nawaz
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday hailed Pakistan Supreme Court’s decision to restore the National Assembly after it declared the government’s decision to dissolve the assembly “unconstitutional”.
Slamming Imran Khan, Sharif said the people of Pakistan are thanking God that this decision has been announced, and added that the beleaguered Prime Minister made the common people starve.
“I would like to congratulate everyone in the country. People have gotten rid of such a person who ruined the country. He made common people starve. The dollar has reached 200 today and people are frustrated with inflation in the country,” Nawaz Sharif told media in London.
He also congratulated opposition party leaders saying that their efforts to oust Imran Khan have paid off.
In another significant development, the Election Commission of Pakistan said that it is impossible to hold a general election in three months as scheduled due to the ongoing delimitation of electoral districts, and proposed that they be held in October.
New parliamentary elections in Pakistan were scheduled to be held 90 days after the dissolution of the parliament, which took place last Sunday. (with inputs from IANS/ANI)