Here are key political updates from Pakistan on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

CJP vows to defend Supreme Court amid leaks

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial has denounced recently leaked audio tapes saying they were meant to tarnish the reputation of the judiciary.

The chief justice (CJP) also vowed to defend the Supreme of Pakistan as an institution on Wednesday.

The unverified audio clips that surfaced on social media in recent months insinuated that some of the judges were accepting bribes or supporting the PTI.

Justice Bandial said the top court would step in if malafide intent was proven in general elections, scheduled to be held in April in Punjab.

The remarks came as CJP Bandial heard a case about the transfer of Lahore CCPO Ghulam Dogar.

Dogar, a pro-PTI officer, was removed as Lahore police chief by the caretaker government soon after it took over. He challenged the move before the Supreme Court which ordered the government to restore him to the position.

However, the order was never fully implemented and Dogar withdrew his petition on Wednesday without ever resuming charge as CCPO Lahore.

Parliament holds joint session to discuss PTI ban

Pakistani Parliament is holding a joint session today (Wednesday) to discuss plans to reign in the opposition PTI as political turmoil grips the country.

There are unconfirmed reports that the joint session, which begins at around 4pm, will pass a resolution demanding a ban on the PTI.

Mohsin Dawar, who heads one of the parties in the ruling coalition, told Aaj News that no such plan was discussed at the PM House on Tuesday, and many coalition partners would not support a ban against the PTI.

The possible move against the PTI has created ripples across continents. Former US Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmy Khalizad warned the Pakistani Parliament against the ban, saying it would deepen Pakistan’s crises.