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Supreme Court Adjourns Reserved Seats Case to May 19, Warns Against Political Statements in Court
Supreme Court adjourns review hearing in reserved seats case to May 19 after Sunni Ittehad Council lawyer seeks time. Justice Amin warns: “Don’t bring politics into court.”
ND
by News Desk
2025-05-13
Supreme Court Adjourns Reserved Seats Case to May 19, Warns Against Political Statements in Court

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on the review petitions filed against the verdict on reserved seats allocation after the Sunni Ittehad Council's (SIC) lawyer sought time to file a response and a miscellaneous application objecting to the bench's constitution.

The case was heard by an 11-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, comprising Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Musarrat Hilali, Hashim Kakar, Shahid Bilal, Salahuddin Panhor, Aamir Farooq, and Baqir Najafi.

Key Developments:

During the hearing, SIC’s counsel Faisal Siddiqui requested a postponement, citing the need for additional time to prepare a response and raise objections regarding the bench's composition.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar suggested the response be filed by the next day, but Siddiqui insisted on a two-day extension, requesting the hearing be delayed till Monday. He also indicated plans to file a miscellaneous application challenging the bench's formation.

Justice Aminuddin Khan questioned the timing of the objection, asking why it was raised only at the third hearing. Siddiqui responded that no formal notice was received for the first hearing, the second coincided with national conflict, and only now was the process moving forward.

Justice Musarrat Hilali challenged the excuse, stating that knowledge of court proceedings via media was sufficient to act earlier. Justice Aminuddin Khan further warned against politicizing the courtroom, saying:

“You should not stand in court and talk politics. This is an 11-member constitutional bench — cases are scheduled with difficulty, and judges have to hear other matters too.”

Justice Jamal Mandokhel, however, supported allowing time for fair hearing:

“Everyone should be given a fair opportunity. If he needs time to file a miscellaneous application, it won’t hurt.”

Justice Hilali added that even an hour could be enough to file such an application.

Siddiqui insisted on two days, saying:

“First hear my objection application on this bench. If you decide to dismiss it, do it with a smile — but give me the chance.”

Meanwhile, PML-N’s lawyer Haris Azmat stated that his party had already filed additional submissions. He proposed that Makhdoom Ali Khan, representing private parties, should be heard first due to his seniority.

Justice Aminuddin Khan advised petitioners to resolve these coordination issues amongst themselves.

The hearing was then adjourned till May 19.

 
Tagged:

ReservedSeats

SunniIttehadCouncil

SupremeCourt
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