A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar while hearing a suo moto notice regarding the ECP notification in this regard, also ordered for constitution of a division bench headed by Justice Aamir Farooq of IHC, with the directive to decide the matter within a week.
The bench directed its registrar office to transfer all identical petitions to IHC in which all provinces could become party.
The CJP also directed the IHC to conduct day-to-day hearing. The ECP notification, however, would be effective till the IHC ordered otherwise, he added.
He observed,“If the top court gives a direct verdict then it will be the final one.” The SC could review the verdict given by the high court, he added.
The CJP remarked that according to Article 218, holding election in a transparent manner was the responsibility of ECP. How the ECP could ban all types of recruitments in government departments, he asked, adding the ECP's jurisdiction should be decided in the matter.