The Lahore High Court on Thursday summoned Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Muhammad Mazari in person on various appeals against the decision of single bench restoring the powers of his power to conduct session for the election of new chief minister on April 16..
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A two-member bench comprising Justice Shujaat Ali Khan and Justice Jawad Hassan also directed Chief Secretary Punjab and IG Punjab to appear before it. At the outset of hearing, Barrister Ali Zafar appeared on behalf of the appellants and raised objections that Dost Mohammad Mazari did not remain neutral anymore. He pointed out that Mazari changed the date of the session from April 16 to April 06 without issuing a gazette notification. He said April 6 session was adjourned due to commotion in the assembly and April 16 was fixed for session, however, late in the night, the deputy speaker changed the date and ordered to convene the meeting again on April 6. Barrister Ali Zafar said that the opposition party also held a meeting on April 6 at a private hotel.
Barrister Ali Zafar said that Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari had approached the LHC for presiding the meeting which proved that he had become biased. He apprehended that the election of chief minister under deputy speaker would be unfair. Just as Parliament cannot interfere in the work of the court, so also the court cannot interfere in the affairs of the Assembly, Barrister Zafar added. Justice Jawad remarked that under the constitution the deputy speaker assumed the role of speaker in his absence. Barrister Zafar insisted that a member from chairmen of panels could conduct the election in a transparent and fair manner. He feared that the deputy speaker could also suspend the membership of some members to which Justice Jawad said the deputy speaker could not go against the rules.
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The counsel for secretary assembly pleaded that the Constitution barred the court from interfering into assembly proceedings or imposing some condition on it.
After hearing initial arguments, the court directed the LHC Registrar and Advocate General Punjab to ensure the presence of a deputy speaker by tomorrow.
