Pakistan’s Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial has passed a historic unanimous 5-0 order quashing the dissolution of the assembly and directing the No-confidence vote to take place saying “The assembly was at all times, and continues to remain, in session, as summoned by the speaker on March 20, 2022, and any prorogation of the assembly by the speaker prior to its dissolution is of no legal effect and is set aside”
Pakistan’s under siege Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to fight till the “last ball” and declined any possibility of resigning before the no-trust wat to be held on 9th April. Imran Khan is likely to address his nation today prior to the crucial test to be held tomorrow.
In a fascinating turn of events and to the delight of democracy watchers around the world reminiscent of ups and downs in a limited over world cup final between India and Pakistan, the democracy in Pakistan appears to be alive and kicking, at least on the face of it. Whispers of an invisible army had apart, thwarting a sly attempt to distort the democratic proceedings must be a reason to rejoice for the world at large.
Delivering a landmark judgement, the Pakistan Supreme court of Pakistan restored the National Assembly to it’s status as it was on April 03 by saying that “all actions, acts or proceedings initiated, done or taken by reason of, or to give effect to the president’s order are of no legal effect, and are hereby quashed”.
There is a clear divide in Pakistan polity with many in awe of never-say-die “Captain” Imran khan’s “masterstrokes” like springing a surprise of dissolving the assembly through deputy speaker Qasim Suri minutes prior to the No-trust vote or apparently staged slip-of-tongue in naming the USA as the country behind the cry for his ouster and those who find him a Trump-like populist “Im-The-Dim” of style without substance hell-bent upon subverting the Pakistan constitution and bringing upon Presidential kind of model of governance.
In the wake of the unfavourable ruling of the Supreme court, Imran has attacked the ‘three stooges’ – Shahbaz Sharif of PML-N, Asif Ali Zardari/Bilawal Bhutto of PPP, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman of PDM. “Foreign hand” is also a constant refrain from Imra Khan trying to put across his message that the political dynasts and an unscrupulous politician are all hands in glove with the foreign powers to topple his government.
The Supreme Court has directed to convene the session of the National Assembly on Saturday no later than 10:30 am, instructing that the session cannot be prorogued without the conclusion of the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan. Restoring the National Assembly of Pakistan called ” Aiwān-e-Zairīñ ” session to it’s status prior to the dissolution ruling, the order said “The deputy speaker gave a ruling on April 3. Leave was granted on the no-confidence motion on March 28. The ruling of the speaker is declared unconstitutional,” Justice Bandial declared.
This is the third time that a Pakistan Prime minister faces a no-confidence vote. However, none has succeeded so far. Also, no Pakistan Prime minister ever has completed a full five-year term in office. The incumbent government headed by Imran Khan requires 172 votes in the lower house of 342 to survive the No Trust vote. The Opposition has claimed to have the support of 175 lawmakers.
