PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, during a press conference on September 25, 2024, criticized the judiciary for not resisting any martial laws in Pakistan and questioned the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on reserved seats, which favored the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He asserted that amendments made by parliament should not be challengeable in court, claiming that the Constitution grants parliament the authority to legislate without judicial interference.
Siddiqui’s remarks followed the Supreme Court’s detailed verdict, which declared PTI eligible for reserved seats in the assemblies, undermining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) two-thirds majority in parliament. This ruling hampered the government’s attempt to pass a constitutional amendment, intensifying the rift between the judiciary and the government.
In its 70-page judgment, the court stated that PTI’s lack of an electoral symbol did not negate its right to reserved seats. The court also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to notify PTI members for these seats, criticizing the ECP’s prior decision that went against the Constitution.
Siddiqui argued that courts should not strike down laws passed by parliament and questioned the judiciary’s authority to grant lawmakers more time than constitutionally allowed to join political parties. He highlighted that senior judges of the Peshawar High Court had also ruled against allocating reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
The senator lamented that the judiciary exceeded its limits during martial law periods, effectively paralyzing the Constitution. He emphasized that only parliament has the right to amend the Constitution, urging the judiciary to refrain from encroaching on this power.
Siddiqui also dismissed the notion of ‘enslaving the judiciary’ and reaffirmed the government’s intention to introduce a constitutional court and fulfill the Charter of Democracy’s (COD) agenda. He criticized PTI Chairman Imran Khan for politicizing the judiciary, particularly for his support of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, urging him not to involve individual judges in political conflicts.
Earlier, the PML-N-led government failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority to pass a controversial constitutional package, raising concerns about a potential extension for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is set to retire in October 2024.
