ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed President Arif Alvi a PTI worker for returning the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, unsigned (PTI).
The measure limits the chief justice’s suo motu and bench-forming powers. The PTI called the measure a “attack on the judiciary” and denounced it.
The prime minister tweeted, “President Alvi returning the Supreme Court Bill duly passed by Parliament is most unfortunate,”
After the Pakistan Democratic Movement took power in April 2018, the president has returned bills. He also refused to oath several cabinet members, including PM Shehbaz.
Alvi has consulted PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who dismissed as prime minister in April last year. His consultancy happened on various important issues, including the army commander.
The prime minister tweeted that the president has degraded his post. As he is following the PTI chairman rather than his constitutional obligations.
“Through his conduct, he has belittled the august Office by acting as a worker of the PTI. He is the one who is beholden to Imran Niazi more than the Constitution & demands of his Office,” he said.
Last month, parliament passed the measure and handed it to the president for assent amid a growing political and constitutional crisis over Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections.
After Alvi’s veto, the government may pass the bill in a joint session.
According to Article 75 of the Constitution, the president returned the bill to parliament for reconsideration since it prima-facie exceeds parliament’s authority and considered colorable legislation.
President Alvi wrote to PM Shehbaz Sharif stating he believed it appropriate to return the law, in conformity with the Constitution, for reconsideration to address concerns regarding its legitimacy (if assailed in the Court of Law).
