ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Monday expressed concern over the inconsistent interpretation of Article 63-A, which governs the disqualification of lawmakers, during the Supreme Court’s hearing on review petitions related to the disqualification of defected members of the National Assembly. The president of the court called for compliance with the text of the Constitution and emphasized the need for clarity in the application of the law. Chief Justice Isa, presiding over the five-judge bench, questioned the inconsistency of the ruling, which suggested that the lawmaker be impeached for defection, while the length of the disqualification should be decided by Parliament. “If the constitution clearly states that a disqualified member will be removed, then that provision should be followed,” Isa said, stressing that there should be no ambiguity in implementing the provisions of the constitution. The case revolves around Article 63-A, which deals with the disqualification of members of Parliament for defying party directions in critical votes. The Supreme Court is reviewing its earlier ruling in a case which ruled that votes cast by dissident lawmakers would not count, leaving it to Parliament to legislate the duration of their disqualification.
