Pakistan SC resumes hearing on no-confidence motion against Imran Khan

Islamabad: Pakistan Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing on the case related to the constitutionality of the dismissal of the crucial no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and the subsequent dissolution of the National Assembly, reported ANI.

During the hearing, Justice Mazhar Alam of the Pakistan Supreme Court asked lawyer Ali Zafar, who is representing the President, "Isn't the court the guardian of the Constitution? How will justice be done if someone is affected by the parliamentary proceedings? If there is no justice, will the court remain silent?"

To which he said, "The protection of the constitution can only be in accordance with the constitution. If Parliament fails, then the matter goes to the people."

Further hearing on the proceedings is underway.

The court on Wednesday had adjourned the proceedings for the fourth time after promising to give a "reasonable order" in the high-profile case.

It had also sought the minutes of the National Security Council meeting to know more about the alleged "foreign conspiracy" as it delayed its verdict on whether Prime Minister Khan had violated the Constitution by dissolving Parliament rather than face a no-confidence vote.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri on Sunday ruled that the no-confidence motion was linked with the "foreign conspiracy" to topple the government and hence was not maintainable. Minutes later, President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Khan.

During the third day of the hearing on Wednesday, Babar Awan appeared for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and Ali Zafar represented President Alvi.

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who is heading a five-member bench comprising Justices Ijazul Ahsan, Mohammad Ali Mazhar, Munib Akhtar and Jamal Khan Mandokhail, asked Awan about the minutes of the recent meeting of the National Security Council which had discussed a letter purportedly showing evidence of the "foreign conspiracy" to oust the PTI-led government.

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