Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, emphasized the urgency of conclusively resolving the disqualification issue, expressing concern that Article 62(1)(F) regarding lifetime bar from candidacy wasn't being determined as per the Constitution but personal interpretations.
These comments were made during the hearing of the case pertaining to lawmakers' lifetime disqualification criteria for contesting elections.
The seven-member bench, led by CJP Isa and including Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Yahya Afridi, Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Musarrat Hilali, presided over the case. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan was present, alongside appointed amici curiae: Reema Omar, Azir Bhandari, and Faisal Siddiqui.
Addressing concerns about potential confusion in the upcoming February 8 elections, the chief justice cautioned against filing multiple cases across different courts, foreseeing potential hurdles in the electoral process.
Lawyer Khurram Raza, representing petitioners Fayaz Ahmed Ghori and Sajjadul Hasan, faced rigorous questioning from the bench, particularly from CJP Isa, who accused Raza of siding with "dictators."
Raza argued that a constitutional amendment was necessary to terminate lifelong disqualification, prompting Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail to inquire whether Parliament lacked legislative powers. Raza responded, highlighting the distinction between legislative action by Parliament and the judicial interpretation by the Supreme Court.
