ISLAMABAD: During course of hearing of case related to  grant of right to vote to overseas Pakistanis Supreme court (SC) has remarked there is only difference of May and Shall in old and new law and court should be told how new amendment by Parliament runs contrary to Constitution. Case came up for hearing before 3-member bench of SC presided over by Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan. Justice Munib Akhtar remarked Parliament enacted law to grant right to vote to overseas Pakistanis where in it was said steps be taken in connection with right to vote to overseas Pakistanis. Court declared law in harmony with Constitution.

In 2021 government added word compulsory in law. In 2022 Parliament restored law to its old form.  There is difference of only May and Shall in old and new law. Tell us how new amendment made by parliament runs contrary to Constitution. Court gave more time for preparation when lawyers could not give satisfactory reply on inquiring by court. Court maintained plea for declaring law unconstitutional is not included in petition of Chaudhry Arif. Court while directing Election Commission to file its report and respondents to file written submissions adjourned hearing of case for indefinite period.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 04 2023

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