Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday set aside deputy speaker's ruling to dismiss the no-trust resolution against Prime Minister Imran and the subsequent dissolution of the NA by the president on the PM's advice, with all five judges unanimously voting 5-0 against it.
The court, in its short order, ruled that the deputy speaker's ruling was "contrary to the Constitution and the law and of no legal effect, and the same are hereby set aside".
The apex court ruled that President Dr Arif Alvi's decision to dissolve the National Assembly was "illegal" and restored Prime Minister Imran Khan as well as his cabinet.
The Supreme Court ordered for the session of the National Assembly to reconvene on Saturday at 10:30am. saying that the session cannot be adjourned without the conclusion of the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"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.
The chief justice said the verdict was announced with a unanimous agreement of 5-0 after the judges consulted each other. "The current issues are done away with," he said.
The verdict said that the government could not interfere in the participation of any MNA in the assembly session.
The court stated that the current order would not impact the proceedings under Article 63 of the Constitution.
"It is, however, clarified that nothing in this short order shall affect the operation of Article 63A of the Constitution and consequences thereof in relation to any member of the Assembly if he votes on the Resolution or (if such be the case) the election of a Prime Minister thereafter in such manner as is tantamount to his defection from the political party to which he belongs within the meaning of the said Article," the verdict reads.-Dawn News
