Irfan Siddiqui, the Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate, voiced significant concerns regarding a recent court ruling related to reserved seats on Tuesday. He indicated that this decision has sparked constitutional dilemmas within Parliament. Siddiqui emphasized the critical issue facing lawmakers: whether they should adhere to the Constitution they have committed to uphold or follow a judicial ruling that appears to conflict with constitutional provisions.
Siddiqui highlighted the urgency of the matter, pointing out that while the PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party have pending appeals, there is mounting pressure to respond to the decision made by the eight-member judicial bench. He stated emphatically, “It is unacceptable for Parliament to acknowledge anything that contradicts the Constitution simply because eight judges have declared it. ”His remarks reveal a strong concern for the integrity of parliamentary processes and adherence to the rule of law.
Additionally, Siddiqui raised concerns about the implications of the ruling, which he argued favored a party that did not seek validation from the Election Commission, a high court, or the Supreme Court. He reminded his colleagues that both the Election Commission and the Peshawar High Court had previously rejected the Sunni Ittehad Council’s request for reserved seats. In conclusion, Siddiqui assured that Parliament would thoroughly evaluate the ruling’s compatibility with constitutional tenets, indicating a commitment to maintaining the rule of law and democratic principles in Pakistan.
