ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan today scrapped its verdict on the defection clause under Article 63-A passed about two years ago, giving a much needed relief to the government.
In the year 2022, a larger bench of the apex court headed by then chief justice Umar Ata Bandial by 3:2 verdict had ruled that any member voting against party line on four main bills will stand disqualified and their vote would not be counted. The four instances of bills were election of prime minister and chief minister; a vote of confidence or no-confidence; a Constitution amendment bill; and a money bill.
That ruling was passed on a petition filed by the then President Asif Ali Zardari.
The review petition on the judgement was filed by the government on which today the Supreme Court bench headed hy Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa announced its verdict.
The judgement was unanimous and it scrapped the Bandial bench ruling. This means that disgruntled members of any political party can vote on the four types of bill even if their party was against it.
The judgement comes at a time when the government is embroiled in parliament with opposition parties especially the PTI over amending the constitution.
Moreover, the PTI has been denied the reserved seats even after the directions of the Supreme Court. Any member of the PTI or any other party can now vote in support of the amendment bill irrespective of their party line.
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