ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary leader of the PMLN in the Senate and Chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee Irfan Siddiqui has said that several questions have arisen from the recent Supreme Court decision on reserved seats. Rather than resolving the issue, the decision has created a perplexing situation.
“Both parliament and the Supreme Court are subject to the Constitution. The question arises: if parliament makes a mistake, the judiciary corrects it. But if the judiciary makes a decision that directly contradicts the Constitution, then who will correct it? This is what needs to be decided today,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday. Senator Siddiqui reaffirmed that parliament and the Constitution remain supreme. “Parliament is the supreme forum for enacting necessary legislation to streamline the system and address the issues of the common man. It is also parliament’s prerogative to make laws for the smooth functioning of the state,” he added.
The PMLN parliamentary leader in the Senate emphasized that their oath is to protect the Constitution and that the courts interpret the Constitution, they do not write it.
He raised the question of constitutional authority, pointing out that the Constitution provides no limit to parliament’s powers. “When the Constitution states that no amendment can be challenged, how can it be?” he asked.
He cited Article 239, saying that no limits can be placed on parliament’s constitution-making authority. However, he lamented that due to judicial overreach, many constitutional clauses have been effectively paralysed. “We want to stay within our limits, and we ask that others do the same,” he urged.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to complete unfinished tasks, such as the establishment of a Constitutional Court under the Charter of Democracy. “The creation of the Constitutional Court will benefit the people, allowing cases pending for years to be resolved quickly,” he explained.
Criticising PTI founder Imran Khan for supporting Justice Mansoor Ali Shah for the post of chief justice, Senator Siddiqui said, “We respect Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, but why are you tarnishing his reputation with your favouritism?”
He recalled that the PTI, in the past, had disrespected institutions, including parliament and Pakistan Television (PTV), and had even attacked security institutions. “These actions damaged the country’s solidarity and integrity,” he remarked.
Senator Siddiqui also accused the PTI government of filing fake cases against innocent people. “Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz had faced bogus cases during the PTI’s tenure,” he said. He said that PTI leaders were notorious for using unparliamentary language against their opponents, and their party workers were involved in the May 9 riots, which had desecrated the monuments of martyrs and attacked security installations.
In response to a query, he reiterated that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) holds the judiciary in esteem and supports freedom of expression. Irfan Siddiqui also pointed out that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had already ruled that no reserved seats would be allocated to the Sunni Ittehad Council. “Moreover, the Supreme Court’s majority decision has not resolved the issue, leading to a perplexing situation,” he added.