It is lawmakers' constitutional right to vote, they cannot stopped through mob: CJP

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Chief Justice of Pakistan Atta Umar Bandial remarked that the question is whether the personal choice can be different from the party stance or not.

Hearing the case pertaining to stopping the public meetings of political parties in Islamabad on Monday, he remarked that the no-confidence motion is an internal matter and it is better to fight this battle in the assembly. "The court only wants that the right to vote of anyone should not be affected. It is the constitutional right of lawmakers to vote. They cannot stopped through the mob," he observed.

The CJP remarked that the observation of Justice Muneeb will be a hurdle if the SCBA sought more details. Justice Muneeb remarked that under which clause, a lawmaker can cast his or her vote independently.

Counsel for the SCBA told court that under the Article 295, there is no status of the individual vote. "All lawmakers should have the right to vote independently," he maintained.

Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan assured the court that no one would be stopped from voting against the party policy. "No lawmaker will be brought forcibly if he or she does not want to come to the assembly. The party head can use his right under Article 63A.

He contended that there was no allegation of horse-trading against the ruling party. "Benazir Bhutto had ordered to bring the members forcibly, but it cannot be implemented. No government officer is bound to obey the illegal order. I assure that the parliamentary proceedings will be held as per constitution," he added.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto and PDM chairman Maulana Fazalur Rehman also reached the court.