Pakistan Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing on the case related to the constitutionality of the dismissal of the crucial no-confidence motion against Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Imran Khan and the subsequent dissolution of the National Assembly, reported PTI.
The Supreme Court had taken suo moto notice of the country's current political predicament.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday requested the minutes of the National Security Council meeting in order to learn more about the alleged "foreign conspiracy," deferring its decision on whether Prime Minister Khan broke the law by dismissing Parliament rather than face a no-confidence vote.
On Sunday, Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri of the National Assembly determined that the no-confidence resolution was tied to a "foreign conspiracy" to destabilize the government and hence could not be sustained.
On Prime Minister Khan's suggestion, President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly minutes afterwards.
On Wednesday, Babar Awan represented the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) while Ali Zafar represented President Alvi at the third day of the hearing.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial questioned Awan about the minutes of the National Security Council's latest meeting, which reviewed a letter purporting to offer proof of a "foreign conspiracy" to destabilize the PTI-led government.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the chief justice reminded the lawyers that they needed to finish their arguments as soon as possible so that the bench could make an order.
The court, however, deferred the matter until Thursday, declaring that the hearing will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. because the process had not been finished.
After hearing lawyers from both the administration and the opposition, the bench promised to reach a decision.
The outcome will determine not only the fate of the no-confidence vote, but also the National Assembly's dissolution and the future elections.
Elections will be held within 90 days if Khan receives a favorable verdict. Experts predict that if the court finds against the deputy speaker, Parliament would reassemble and vote on Khan's no-confidence motion.
The current crisis erupted after the opposition tabled a resolution of no confidence in the Prime Minister on March 8. The vote was set for April 3, but the proposal was rejected by the deputy speaker, who claimed it was part of a "plot" to destabilize an elected government.
All orders and actions taken by the prime minister and president in relation to the dissolution of the National Assembly would be subject to the court's order, according to Chief Justice Bandial.
He said on Monday the court would issue a “reasonable order” on the issue that has led to a political and constitutional crisis in the country.
President Alvi, the Supreme Court Bar Association and all political parties have been made respondents in the case.
The decision of the court would determine the legality of the presidential order to dissolve the National Assembly.
The Opposition parties rejected both the ruling of the deputy speaker and the dissolution of parliament, and not only challenged it in court but also fought tooth and nail outside the Supreme Court.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif at a press conference accused Prime Minister Khan of violating the Constitution and imposing a civil-martial law in the country.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice-President Maryam Nawaz has accused Khan of using the NSC meeting to save his “incompetent” government and to stay in power for a few more days.
The petition will be heard by a five-member bigger bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and consisting of Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel.
The arguments of Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan and Naeem Bukhari are expected to be heard by the court.
On April 3, the Deputy Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly pronounced the combined opposition's no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan unlawful.
It is against Pakistan's Constitution and norms, according to the Deputy Speaker.
Imran Khan then encouraged President Ashraf Ghani to dissolve the National Assembly and conduct new elections.
The assembly was then disbanded with immediate effect. Khan will remain Prime Minister until a caretaker Prime Minister is appointed.
After the dissolution of the National Assembly, there is no clarity on how a caretaker Prime Minister would be appointed because the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, who make the appointment, are no longer in office.
