Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed has dashed the hopes of opposition when he observed that “no-one can stop the government from promulgating an ordinance on open ballot in the Senate elections.”

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan was hearing the petition of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam filed against the ordinance issued by President Dr Arif Alvi to hold forthcoming Senate elections through open ballot.

However, the Chief Justice observed that if the Supreme Court holds the presidential reference constitutional, the ordinance will be annulled.

Justice Ijaz questioned how the ordinance was a preemptive attempt at legislation and observed that if anyone has an objection, he can approach the high court.

Attorney General (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan told the court that the ordinance was not preemptive but a conditional legislation. He questioned the politicians terming it as an attack on parliament or the top court.

Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan observed that according to a news report, the government promulgated the ordinance because the Election Commission (ECP) had scheduled the Senate elections for February 11.

JUI-F counsel Kamran Murtaza argued that the government did not respect the court proceedings and promulgated an ordinance over a matter that was subjudice.

The bench issued notice to the AGP on the petition.

The story was filed by the News Desk. The Desk can be reached at info@thecorrespondent.com.pk.

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