In a major development, Supreme Court Justice Salahuddin Panhwar has recused himself from the Constitutional Bench hearing review petitions against the SC’s earlier verdict granting PTI reserved seats for women and minorities. The PML-N, PPP, and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have challenged the ruling, which, if enforced, could strengthen PTI’s position in national and provincial assemblies. However, implementation has been stalled due to objections from the ECP and delays in the National Assembly.
Justice Panhwar’s decision came after PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawyer Hamid Khan objected to his inclusion in the bench under the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The judge emphasized that public trust in the judiciary is crucial, stating, “It is necessary that none of the parties have any objection regarding the bench.” He also revealed that while he and Khan had a personal rapport since 2010, he was personally hurt by the allegations of bias.
The hearing turned contentious when Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail expressed frustration over Hamid Khan’s arguments, stating, “All of this has happened because of your conduct.” Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan also questioned Khan’s right to present arguments in the case. Despite the objections, Hamid Khan insisted it was his legal right to argue, leading to a brief adjournment before proceedings resumed with a 10-member bench.
The case has gained further complexity due to objections regarding the expansion of judges under the 26th Amendment, with Hamid Khan alleging “court packing.” The constitutional changes, introduced last October, aimed to reduce case backlogs by increasing the number of judges. As the legal battle continues, the outcome will have far-reaching implications for PTI’s political future and parliamentary dynamics.