ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has deferred the hearing of the case concerning reserved seats, which was initially set for Monday.
Sources indicated that the review session scheduled for Tuesday will also not proceed. The court’s next hearing date will be determined once Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail returns from Balochistan, where he traveled today due to his mother’s passing.Yesterday, the Court’s Constitutional bench postponed the review petitions related to the reserved seats verdict until June 23. The hearing was conducted by an eleven-member panel led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan.
During the proceedings, senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja, representing Kanwal Shauzab, emphasized that under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has the authority to intervene in matters of public interest and fundamental rights, particularly in extraordinary situations. Justice Mandokhail agreed, stating that the Court should act if a constitutional breach is evident, even without a specific legal provision.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, however, pointed out that Article 199 does not extend the same jurisdiction to the Supreme Court as it does to High Courts under Article 199, and therefore cannot be interpreted in the same manner. Raja responded that the Supreme Court’s extensive constitutional powers allow it to act wherever necessary.
Justice Mandokhail questioned whether the original verdict on reserved seats involved any violation of constitutional or legal provisions. Raja clarified that while there was no such violation, the law allows independent candidates to join political parties within 15 days, instead of three, due to a lack of alternative legal options.
During the session, Justice Mandokhail highlighted that reserved seats pertain to both minority groups and the general public, to which Raja responded that the role of the electorate is equally vital in such matters.
Justice Najafi inquired whether securing reserved seats constitutes a fundamental right for political parties. Raja argued that, through their votes, the public effectively endorses reserved seats, making it a fundamental right for parties as well, though it remains subject to legal regulation.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until June 23.
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