Supreme Court
A seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, has dismissed a petition challenging the recognition of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) as a parliamentary party.
The petition, filed by Maulvi Iqbal Haider, was rejected following the court’s acceptance of objections raised by the Registrar’s Office.
During the proceedings, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel underscored the principle that individual candidates have the right to decide whether to affiliate themselves with a political party, asserting that judicial intervention in such matters would be inappropriate and potentially unconstitutional.
“Why do you want us to do unconstitutional things?” Justice Mandokhel asked, emphasizing that the autonomy of candidates in determining their political alignments must be respected.
He clarified that this issue falls under the domain of personal choice and should not be subjected to judicial scrutiny.
Despite the court’s clear stance, Maulvi Iqbal Haider argued that the matter warranted further deliberation.
Representing the Sunni Ittehad Council, he attempted to justify his position, urging the bench to reconsider. However, Justice Aminuddin Khan intervened, cautioning him to adhere to the relevant legal parameters.
“Maulvi Iqbal sir, you are again going in the wrong direction,” Justice Aminuddin remarked, advising him to remain focused on the legalities instead of pushing for unwarranted judicial oversight.
The Supreme Court’s ruling effectively upholds the Sunni Ittehad Council’s status as a parliamentary party, reinforcing the principle that political party affiliation remains a personal choice for candidates.
The decision also affirms the importance of respecting constitutional boundaries and discourages unnecessary litigation on matters where individual rights are already well-defined.
This dismissal marks a significant reaffirmation of the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining constitutional integrity while respecting the political autonomy of individuals within the democratic framework.
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