ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s much-anticipated proceedings regarding the review petitions against its earlier verdict on reserved seats came to an unexpected halt after the 11-member larger bench was dissolved. The development followed the recusal of Justice Salahuddin Panhwar from the bench, citing concerns over impartiality raised during the hearing.
The court was hearing arguments presented by senior lawyer Hamid Khan, who was representing the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). During his submission, Hamid Khan raised objections against the inclusion of certain judges on the bench, expressing concerns over potential bias. Among those indirectly mentioned was Justice Salahuddin Panhwar himself.
Responding to the concerns, Justice Panhwar remarked that he was among the judges whose impartiality had been questioned. He said that public confidence in the judiciary must be upheld at all times and that parties involved in a case should not feel uncomfortable with the composition of the bench.
“Judicial integrity demands that justice not only be done but also seen to be done,” Justice Panhwar said during the hearing. “If one of the parties has expressed doubt over the bench’s neutrality, it is my duty to step aside for the sake of institutional credibility.”
Justice Panhwar further stated that although he had maintained a professional relationship with Hamid Khan since 2010 and was personally hurt by the tone of the arguments, his decision to recuse himself was based on principle, not personal sentiment. “This is not about my individual feelings. It’s about maintaining the integrity of the bench and ensuring public trust in the judicial process,” he added.
Following his recusal, the 11-member bench—tasked with hearing one of the most politically sensitive cases concerning the allocation of reserved seats in the assemblies—was automatically dissolved, halting proceedings until a new bench can be constituted.
The reserved seats case has garnered national attention, as its outcome may significantly impact parliamentary composition and the balance of power among political parties. Legal experts now await the Supreme Court’s decision on how it plans to proceed with the matter.
Read also: KP CM says visits Supreme Court on Imran Khan directives
