Overturning the Deputy Speaker’s order dissolving Pakistan’s top legislative body, the country’s Supreme Court ruled that the National Assembly remained in existence.
Through a short order signed late night, the Pakistan Supreme Court Thursday declared the ruling by the country’s National Assembly deputy speaker to dissolve the National Assembly as “unconstitutional”.
The court ordered the restoration of the National Assembly and the cabinet, besides asking the House to proceed with the vote of no-confidence against the prime minister by Saturday.
It comes as a jolt to Prime Minister Imran Khan who has said that he will play till the very last ball of the last over of the match.
The announcement setting aside the Deputy Speakers 3 April ruling in the face of a no-confidence motion against the government comes from the court’s five-member bench headed by Pakistan’s chief justice.
The Supreme Court ruled that the National Assembly was in existence at all times, and continued to remain and be so.
“The prime minister and federal ministers, ministers of state, advisers, etc stand restored to their respective offices as on 3 April,” the order says.
“Any prorogation of the assembly by the speaker prior to its dissolution in terms as stated above is declared to be of no legal effect and is set aside.
“The speaker is under a duty to summon and hold a sitting of the assembly in the present session, and shall do so immediately and in any case not later than 10:30 a.m. on Saturday April 9, to conduct the business of the House as per the Orders of the Day that had been issued for 3 April,” the court’s order reads.
Image: Wikimedia
