GHULAM HUSSAIN vs UNION COUNCIL KHOKHRAPAR through Secretary Union
This matter arises from a petition for leave to appeal filed under Article 185(3) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, by the petitioner challenging the delay in adjudication of his constitutional petition before the High Court of Sindh. The petitioner had sought to challenge a resolution and subsequent notification removing him from his position following a vote of no confidence. The core legal question is whether a petition for leave to appeal is maintainable against a pending proceeding in the High Court where no final judgment, decree, order, or sentence has been passed. The Supreme Court held that under Article 185(3), a petition for leave to appeal is only maintainable against a judgment, decree, order, or sentence of the High Court, and no substantial question of public importance under Article 212(3) was made out. The petition was accordingly dismissed and leave to appeal refused.
- Is a petition for leave to appeal maintainable under Article 185(3) of the Constitution against a pending petition in the High Court where no final order has been passed?
- Does delay in the adjudication of a constitutional petition before the High Court constitute a ground for invoking the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 185(3)?
- What constitutes a substantial question of public importance for the grant of leave to appeal under the Constitution?
- Article 185(3), Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973
- Article 212(3), Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973
ORDER
ABDUL HAMEED DOGAR, J.---Through this petition, petitioner Ghulam Hussain has invoked the Constitutional jurisdiction of this Court under Article 185(3) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as "the Constitution") for grant of leave to appeal on the ground that Constitutional Petition No,D-264 of 2003 filed by him before High Court of Sindh, Circuit Bench, Hyderabad is not being heard since last five months wherein he has challenged the resolution dated 15-9-2003 whereby vote of no confidence was passed against him through secret ballot and inconsequence whereof he has been unseated and notification about his removal has been issued by the respondents.
2. Mr. Abdul Rahim Kazi, learned counsel for the petitioner mainly contended that since the Constitutional petition filed by petitioner challenging his removal by way of vote of no confidence is pending adjudication since 21-9-2003 before the High Court and is being adjourned without any justification so much so even interim relief is neither granted nor refused. Thus finding no other alternative, the petitioner has invoked the Constitutional jurisdiction of this Court under Article 185(3) of the Constitution.
3. Admittedly, the petition is pending before the High Court and no order of any sort has been passed so far. It is only against any judgment, decree, order or sentence of High Court petition for leave to appeal is maintainable under Article 185(3) of the Constitution. Moreover no substantial question of public importance within the contemplation of clause (3) of Article 212 of the Constitution has been made out to justify grant of leave in this case. As such, the petition is dismissed and leave to appeal is refused.
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