PTI committed suicide by merging with SIC: CJP

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has resumed hearing the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) plea against the denial of seats reserved for women and minorities in the National and provincial assemblies.

A full court (13-member) bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, is hearing the SIC petition.

The bench also comprises Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Ayesha A Malik, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.

The PTI had formed alliance with the SIC prior to the February 8 elections to contest the polls after the Election Commission of Pakistan stripped the party of its electoral symbol, a decision upheld by the top court.

SIC counsel Faisal Siddiqui said that three important points need to be mentioned from the Article 51 and 106. Independent candidates can join any political party while the Election Commission has misinterpreted the political party. The Election Commission has ignored the Constitution regarding reserved seats.

The Chief Justice asked: “Why did the independent candidates leave PTI when it is a political party? Why did you commit suicide joining another party which goes against your arguments.”

He continued that had the independent candidates stayed with the PTI, there would have been no problem today.