Last updated on August 27th, 2024 at 03:11 pm
Now, concerns have begun to be raised regarding the survival of the present government, although the Supreme Court decision stands for not posing immediate dangers to the government. However, the members of the cabinet are now worried about the after effects, even when Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa retires. It is believed that the Supreme Court may reopen the PTI petition on rigging in the 2024 elections and bring down the government.
Cabinet Members Reaction to SC’s Majority Order
A cabinet member has said that the reason behind the strong government reaction is the fact that it is apprehensive over what the order of the majority portends. The verdict of July 12 declaring PTI eligible for the reserved seats of both assents, national, and provincial assemblies, had sent jitters through the ruling coalition.
Its Effects on Judicial Package, and Constitutional Amendments
Lawyers regard the verdict of July 12 as an unprecedented action of the Court to thwart the judicial package that the government has labeled, and the opponents have accused, as a blueprint to demolish the judiciary of the country. Because if the ruling parties’ total is 23, then they will have the majority to amend the Constitution and pass the judicial package, giving them a two-third majority in parliament.
Dissenting Opinions Within the Supreme Court
For, the divisions among the judges of the Supreme Court are very real since Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar had dissented from the majority order. They had drawn the attention of an objection to the review petition posted for hearing against the July 12 order which had directed the ECP to reserve seats for PTI.
CJP Isa through his role could save the judiciary
Given the brewing controversy, all ears are now on CJP Qazi Faez Isa to see how he will protect the judiciary’s independence. His build-up policies about independence up till now are not successful in managing the agency-related matters, and the response from the government on the July 12 order speaks volumes about this.
Politics of Fear and Guesswork
The last three years have been marked by kind of a sense of foreboding and speculation on the national political horizon with speculations on probable appointments and threats of PTI rule. However, efforts towards early general elections by Imran Khan did not get materialized and the political situation remains uncertain.
Uncertainty Over ECP’s Implementation of July 12 Order
There remains a question mark if the ECP will seek implementation of the July 12 order, as in the PTI perception the filing of the judicial package has potentially threatened the order. The contents of the detailed judgment could influence the future trend in the ECP, therefore, there is urgency surrounding the early fixation of the review petition.