Hamza's Fate As CM Hangs By A Thread.

LAHORE -- A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial conducted hearing of the petition filed by PML (Q) leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi against Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly's ruling at Lahore Registry on Saturday.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice said that the case cannot be decided without hearing the stance of the other side. He said that the final verdict of this case will be announced on Tuesday. Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly, Sardar Dost Mohammad Mazari did not attend the hearing. However, he was represented by his lawyer Irfan Qadir, who submitted documents before the court during the hearing.

Later, the Chief Justice adjourned hearing of the case till Monday saying that hearing of the case will now be held in Islamabad. Also, the Supreme Court (SC) directed Hamza Shehbaz on Saturday to work as a trustee chief minister till Monday, July 25. The court observed that Hamza Shehbaz could exercise limited powers as per the law and Constitution.

The three-member bench passed the orders on a petition filed by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi while hearing the matter at Supreme Court Lahore Registry here. During the proceedings, Advocate Irfan Qadir appeared on behalf of the deputy speaker and sought time for filing a detailed reply in the matter.

The chief justice observed that it was a serious matter and the court wanted to decide it as early as possible, adding that one day's time could be granted.

At this stage, Elahi's counsel Barrister Ali Zafar pleaded with the court to restrain Hamza Shehbaz from forming the cabinet and fix the matter for hearing on Sunday.

However, the bench observed that Hamza could maintain a small cabinet and noted that if the arguments were not concluded on Sunday, then the matter would have to be heard on Monday.

Subsequently, the bench adjourned further hearing till Monday and observed that it would be heard at Supreme Court, Islamabad.

Earlier, the bench had summoned Punjab Assembly Deputy speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari in personal capacity, along with the relevant record, at 2:30 pm and issued notices to the respondents after hearing initial arguments of the counsel for petitioner Chaudhry Parvez Elahi...