Oveoverseas Pakistanis have the right to vote, why can't the law be amended? Court

 Overseas Pakistanis have the right to vote, why can't the law be amended? Court

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has asked the lawyer of Imran Khan during the hearing of the case of giving the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis, how can the court give a different order from the earlier decision?

On Friday, representatives of the Election Commission and NADRA appeared before the three-member bench of the Supreme Court along with the lawyers of Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed and other petitioners.

A bench consisting of Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Mazahir Akbar Naqvi, headed by Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, heard the petitions.

Arif Chaudhry, a lawyer for one of the petitioners, told the court that while submitting the report, NADRA has taken a stand that a procedure is being drawn up for the implementation of the Overseas Pakistanis Voting Rights Act and if the Election Commission cooperates. It will be possible in a year.

The lawyer opined that the issue of giving the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis is pending in the Election Commission, if they want it can be resolved soon.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar told the lawyer that the amendment to the Election Act was challenged in the High Court and the matter came to the Supreme Court after the application was rejected. Apart from this, two petitions were filed under Article 184 III of Public Interest.

He told the lawyer that Clause 94 of the Election Act of 2017 has been reinstated by the current Parliament in the year 2022. Earlier in the year 2018, the Supreme Court declared this act in accordance with the constitution, while in the year 2021, the then government amended it through the parliament.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar asked that the law which was declared by the court to be in accordance with the constitution and which the parliament has restored to its original state, you want the court to declare it unconstitutional, what are the arguments on it?

The lawyer said that the court should issue directions and give the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis under the old law and declare the new amendment null and void.

Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan asked what is unconstitutional in this? The court had earlier declared the provision of the law constitutional and asked only one word to be changed.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar asked Imran Khan's lawyer what do you want from the court now?

Lawyer Uzair Bhandari responded that the amendment to the law should be declared null and void.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar said that when the parliament can amend the law once, why can't the same parliament restore the law in its original form the second time. Tell me why the parliament cannot do this under the constitutional principle?

He asked the lawyer to come prepared on this constitutional point.

Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan while appreciating the research skills of lawyer Uzair Bhandari asked him to assist the court with preparation on this point.

The Election Commission representative said that the report has been prepared and is being submitted to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court adjourned the trial indefinitely.