In a quota system case, the Shariat Appellate Bench issues notices.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s Shariat Appellate Bench issued letters to the pertinent parties on Monday, postponing the hearing of an appeal against the quota system’s designation as un-Islamic until next month.

The case was heard by a five-member court led by Justice Jamal Mandokhail.

The court questioned the Additional Attorney General during the proceedings about whether the quota system complies with Islamic law. The Additional Attorney General responded by stating that Parliament has the power to enact laws pertaining to the quota system and that the specifics of the system are outlined in Article 27 of the Constitution.

The quota system had initially expired after 40 years, according to Justice Jamal Mandokhail.

The bench was notified by the Additional Attorney General that legislation had been passed to prolong the quota system’s existence.

In the meantime, Justice Irfan Saadat stated that the quota system is in place in proportion to the provinces’ populations.

The Additional Attorney General affirmed that it is in fact applied in accordance with each province’s population ratio.

This is when Justice Jamal Mandokhail asked if that meant that more provinces with lower populations will be included.

The court postponed the hearing until the first week of April in response to these comments.