In a dramatic courtroom incident, a man claiming to represent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hurled a threat at Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa during the Supreme Court’s review petition hearing regarding the defection clause of Article 63A of the Constitution. The man, Mustafain Kazmi, a retired officer of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), claimed that over 500 lawyers were picketing the court and would respond if a decision was made against their interests.
The Chief Justice instructed Kazmi to sit down, but when he refused, Kazmi escalated his defiance, prompting the Chief Justice to order police intervention. The court swiftly had Kazmi removed from the courtroom.
This incident occurred during a review hearing led by Chief Justice Isa and involving a five-member bench, which included Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel. The PTI’s legal counsel, Barrister Ali Zafar, had raised objections over the composition of the bench, arguing it was not in line with the amended Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023. Zafar contended that a full court should be convened to determine the constitutional validity of the amendment.
Chief Justice Isa rejected these objections, emphasizing that transparency now governs bench formations in the Supreme Court, contrasting the former practice of arbitrary bench formations. He added that there would be no more dictatorship in the country or its institutions.
The hearing was adjourned after Zafar sought more time to consult with his client, Imran Khan, who is currently in custody. The court also dealt with objections from the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Shahzad Shaukat, regarding the filing delay of the revision petition.
Chief Justice Isa expressed frustration with the disruptive behavior in court, warning that disrespect toward the judiciary would not be tolerated. The hearing is set to continue today, with further arguments expected.
