ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Monday approved to file a reference in the Supreme Court for interpretation of Article 63-A of the constitution.
The approval has been given by the president under Article 186 of the constitution.
On advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Arif Alvi has sought opinion of the apex court regarding the aims and objectives of Article 63 (A), its scope and other related matters.
The reference is being filed following reports of defection of some members of the parliament from their party and current situation of the country.
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The attorney general said he would represent the president in the presidential reference. He said the top court would interpret importance of the vote and whether disqualification would be for lifetime or limited time period.
Article 63-A states that it may result in disqualification of a member, if a member of a parliamentary party in a House resigns from membership of his political party or joins another party; or votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction issued by the parliamentary party to which he belongs, in relations to election of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister; or a vote of confidence or a vote of no-confidence; or a Money Bill or a Constitution (Amendment) Bill; he may be declared in writing by the party head to have defected from the political party, and the head of the parliamentary Party may forward a copy of the declaration to the Presiding Officer, and shall similarly forward a copy thereof to the member concerned. Provided that before making the declaration, the Party Head shall provide such member with an opportunity to show cause as to why such declaration may not be made against him.
