Peshawar High Court Directs Summoning of Provincial Assembly Session for Oath Administration.

BY: M. Ilyas

PESHAWAR- The Peshawar High Court has issued directives to the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging swift action to implement the judgment delivered in Writ Petition No.1617-P/2024 on April 17, 2024. The court’s judgment mandates the Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Provincial Cabinet to take immediate steps, in accordance with Article 105 of the Constitution, to convene a session of the Provincial Assembly within a fortnight of receiving the judgment. The purpose of this session is to administer the oath to petitioners as per Article 65 of the Constitution, ahead of the impending Senate election. Additionally, the Honorable Court has directed the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly to oversee the administration of oaths to the petitioners during the scheduled session. This process is guided by Articles 65 and 255 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, along with Rule 6 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 1988. Dr. Abadullah Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has emphasized the significance of adhering to the court’s directives to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles. Responding to the court’s instructions, the Provincial Assembly is gearing up to summon the session and administer oaths to newly elected members, including those representing reserved seats for women and non-Muslims. A copy of the court’s judgment has been forwarded to the Secretary of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for necessary action to ensure compliance with the court’s ruling. This development underscores the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding constitutional values and ensuring the smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the province.