ISLAMABAD - The ruling PML-N remains indecisive over moving the apex court for review against the judgement of Sindh High Court that has ordered removal of the name of former President Gen (Retd) Musharraf from the Exit Control List (ECL) within 15 days.
Party sources privy to the important meeting held on Thursday told The Nation that hawks within the party strongly recommended to the prime minister to move the Supreme Court while doves are opposed to the move requesting the party high command to wait until June 17.
According to the informed sources, Prime Minister Sharif during an informal consultative meeting with senior party leaders withheld the decision till June 17 when the Special Court trying the former President under Article 6 would resume the proceedings of the case.
“Neither I have been asked from the party leadership to move to the apex court nor I am aware of any decision taken during Thursday’s meeting “, a senior PML-N leader Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah told The Nation on Friday.
Shah, a senior constitutional law practitioner, was of the view if the government decides to go to the apex court against the SHC order, it will have to file review petition under clause F of section 2 of the article 185 of the constitution. He also dismissed the rumours of any rift within the party ranks regarding the crucial decision.
On the other hand, some sources quoted the Federal Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique as requesting the prime minister in the meeting to go for review, arguing it would a historic blunder if the party lost this opportunity and that may have far-reaching political ramifications for the PML-N.
Rafique was one of the hawks who along with some other party colleagues called for moving to the apex court for review, while the saner elements requested the prime minister to wait as there is ample time to ponder consequences.
Sources further said the prime minister after giving patient hearing to the senior party members decided to have another consultative meeting next week to further examine legalities of the issue.