Vote of a dissident will not be counted, observes SC in presidential reference for interpretation of Article 63 A
ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The Supreme Court, announcing the reserved verdict on the presidential reference regarding the interpretation the Article 63 A, ruled that the vote of a dissident will not be counted.
The verdict was announced by 3-2. The court observed that the Article 63 and 17 are meant for the rights of political parties. However, the dissidents survived the sentence of lifetime disqualification.
It ruled that the Article 63 A is the real spirit of a political party. "The disagreement could derail democracy and destabilize the political parties," it observed.
The court sent the question regarding stopping the dissidents in the future. It ruled that legislation regarding disqualification of the dissidents is power of the parliament. "It is time to do legislation regarding the dissidents," it ruled.
A five-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial heard the reference. The other judges included Justice Ejazul Hassan, Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel. The bench conducted the hearing for 58 days.
Earlier, Makhdoom Ali Khan, counsel for the PML-N, sought time from court in the written arguments.
Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf objected to the sending of the reference from President Arif Alvi. "We do not agree with the court observation, but even then accept it," he contended.
He said that a member himself is not de-seated by deviating from 63(1). "Explanation is sought from the dissident through the show-cause notice," he added.
