The nine-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) that was hearing a crucial suo moto case regarding election dates in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has been disbanded after four judges recused themselves to ensure an unbiased adjudication.
The coalition parties, including PPP, JUI-F and PML-N as well as Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) had raised an objection to the presence of Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ijazul Ahsan in the bench.
They demanded that two judges should recuse from the bench hearing the suo motu case over delay in the elections in two provinces.
The proceeding of the case had to commence at 11:30am today by the nine-member larger bench headed by CJP Bandial. However, it was delayed due to informal consultation between the jurists which resulted in disbandment of the bench.
A 14-page order was issued by the top court following reservations on inclusion of Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi by coalition parties including PPP, JUI-F and PML-N.
