ISLAMABAD, SEP 06 (Online): Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected the petition filed by PTI against the phased acceptance of resignations of its Members of National Assembly (MNAs).
The court also declared the step taken by former deputy speaker NA Qasim Suri illegal .
The petition came up for hearing before single bench of IHC led by Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah here Tuesday.
Irfan Qadir, counsel for speaker National Assembly (NA) and barrister Ali Zafar counsel for PTI appeared in the court
During the hearing of the case, CJ IHC remarked former deputy speaker Qasim Suri did not follow the procedure while accepting the resignations. Every member who had resigned should have gone to speaker NA in person. A detailed decision of this nature from this court is there in Zafar Ali Shah case.
Counsel for PTI told the court parliament is supreme. The resignation of 11 out of 123 members were accepted. If the resignations have to be accepted then the resignations of all the members who have given be accepted.
The CJ IHC remarked this court has given decision if any member tenders resignation even then it will be accepted in what form. Former deputy speaker did not follow the procedure while accepting the resignations. Every resigning member should have gone to speaker NA in person. What former deputy speaker NA Qasim Suri did was entirely against the decision of this court. This court respects the elected representatives of the people.
The CJ IHC inquired had speaker NA satisfied himself by calling every member who had resigned.
Irfan Qadir counsel for the speaker NA told the court they want that the court should satisfy itself because they made these elected representatives respondents.
The CJ IHC remarked those sitting in parliament or political party are not as much important as those whom they represent. This court has given decision that speaker has to satisfy himself by pursuing the procedure. Former deputy speaker had no powers to accept the resignations.
The court rejected the PTI petition after hearing the arguments of the lawyers of respondents.
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