Detailed Dissenting Note Issued on Dismissal of Government’s Appeal in Reserved Seats Case

Islamabad: The **Supreme Court of Pakistan’s** Justice **Ayesha Malik** and Justice **Aqeel Abbasi** have issued a **detailed dissenting note** regarding the court’s decision to dismiss the government’s appeal in the **reserved seats case**.

In their note, the judges stated that the **review petitions filed by the PML-N, PPP, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)** are **dismissed**, emphasizing that the **scope of a review is limited** and cannot be used to reopen a concluded case.

The dissenting note pointed out that the three review petitions were filed against the **short order issued on July 9, 2024**, while only the **ECP submitted additional petitions** based on the **detailed judgment issued on September 23, 2024**.

The judges noted that all relevant arguments had already been addressed in the detailed verdict. However, the petitioners attempted to **reargue the case**, which is **not permissible under the narrow scope of review proceedings**.

According to the note, **only those judgments containing clear legal errors are eligible for review**, whereas **minor procedural irregularities or differences of opinion** do not justify reopening the matter.

The dissent underscores the judges’ stance that **the review jurisdiction cannot serve as a platform for rehearing or re-litigation**, reaffirming the principle of judicial finality in Supreme Court decisions.