A 7-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court - headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan - has dismissed a petition against the recognition of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) as a parliamentary party.
The petition, filed by Maulvi Iqbal Haider, was dismissed after the court upheld the objections raised by the Registrar's Office.
During the hearing, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel pointed out that it is the right of individual candidates to choose whether to join a political party, stressing that the court should not intervene in such matters that might be deemed unconstitutional.
"Why do you want us to do unconstitutional things?" Justice Mandokhel questioned, stressing that the issue of party affiliation should remain within the candidates' discretion.
Maulvi Iqbal Haider, representing the Sunni Ittehad Council, insisted that the matter deserved further review.
However, Justice Aminuddin Khan cautioned Haider, stating, "Maulvi Iqbal sir, you are again going in the same direction for which the ban was imposed."
Despite this, Maulvi Iqbal Haider indicated that a review of the case is still pending, and the issue might be pursued further.
