Abid Hassan Minto, a lawyer and former president of the Awami Workers Party, has written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial, in which he argues that linking a member of parliament’s (MP) violation of party lines with morality is not justified.
He claims he is writing the letter since no opportunity for any individual or organization to participate in the presidential reference hearing seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the constitution has been provided.
He goes on to say that the content of the reference, as well as the Attorney General of Pakistan’s (AGP) statements, suggest that a lawmaker who switches parties is disqualified for life.
Minto said that by allowing an independent candidate to join any political party after being elected, the constitution had effectively legalized ‘defection.’
He believes that the notion that switching one’s allegiance to a different political party infringes the rights of the people in one’s district is unfounded.
In his letter, Minto claims that the president’s function is impartial.
He goes on to say that Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on March 23 that the reference was filed in order to combat “vote-buying and selling.”
“The truth of the matter is that the president cannot seek a court’s decision in order to protect the prime minister’s political interests,” he stated.
