Big blow to Imran Khan: SC says all orders, actions initiated by president, PM subject to court orders

Pakistan’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial took cognizance of the prevailing political situation, wherein the National Assembly’s deputy speaker controversially rejected the no-confidence motion and the lower house was subsequently dissolved following the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Chief Justice Bandial arrived at the apex court in Islamabad, which was opened on a Sunday in view of Sunday’s political turmoil.

The court issuednotice to Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khanto explain the government's constitutional position for invoking article 5 of the constitution under whichDeputy Speaker of the National AssemblyQasim Suridismissed the opposition’s no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

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During the hearing, Justice Bandial said, "The acts of the prime minister and president will be subjected to the courts ruling."

It means that the court will decidewhether the president's order to dissolvethe National Assembly is valid or not.Moreover, the court has made President Arif Alviparty to the hearing.

"All orders and actions initiated by the prime minister and president regarding the dissolution of the National Assembly will be subject to the court's order," the court said.

The opposition leaders filed a petition in the court seeking its directions hours after National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri termed the no-confidence motion filed by them as “unconstitutional”.

The petition sought to cancel the deputy speaker’s ruling, asking the top court to direct the speaker to convene the session at the earliest.

Moreover, they have also filed petition against President Arif Alvi, PM Imran Khan, Speaker NA Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri for violating the Constitution.

According to Geo News, a special bench of the top court will hear the matter.

In a stunning move, Khan announced fresh elections when the National Assembly was discussing no-confidence motion against his government.

He said that the president has been advised to dissolve the assemblies, asking his supporters to prepare for the upcoming elections which is slated to be held in 90 days.

"Prepare for elections. No corrupt forces will decide what the future of the country will be. When the assemblies will be dissolved, the procedure for the next elections and the caretaker government will begin," he was quoted as saying.

Pakistan’s information minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet said that the cabinet had been dissolved and added that Khan would continue his duties as PM under Article 224 of the constitution.

Article 224 states, "A general election to the National Assembly or a Provincial Assembly shall be held within a period of sixty days immediately following the day on which the term of the Assembly is due to expire, unless the Assembly has been sooner dissolved, and the results of the election shall be declared not later than fourteen days before that day."

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(With inputs from agencies)