Pakistan
Article 63A: Supreme Court to announce verdict on presidential reference at 5pm
ISLAMABAD:-The Supreme Court of Pakistan has wrapped up hearing the presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63(A).
The Supreme Court reserved the verdict which will be announced at 5pm today (Tuesday).
A five-member larger bench, headed by CJP Bandial, and comprising Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, concluded hearing the case.
Former PTI-led government had approached the SC for clarity on Article 63(A) as several PTI lawmakers were likely to vote on the no-trust motion against then prime minister Imran Khan, in a violation of the party policy.
In the reference, the government sought the apex court’s opinion on interpretations of Article 63(A) and which one should be adopted and implemented.
What was asked in presidential reference?
1. Whether defected members cannot be prevented from vote under Article 63(A) for violating party policy?
2. Will the vote of defected members can be counted or not?
3. Whether those who go against the party policy will be disqualified for life-time or not?
4. What is the period of disqualification under Article 63(A)?
