Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday advised politicians to refrain from giving statements that undermine the judiciary.

A three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench headed by the CJP was hearing 12 petitions challenging an amendment in the Elections Act, 2017, which paved the way for disqualified prime minister Nawaz Sharif to be re-elected as PML-N chief after he was removed from the post.

The petitions have been filed mainly by opposition parties including Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid and the PPP.

As the hearing started, PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq requested the court to grant the ruling party 10 days to draft a reply in defence because it had not been notified about the petitions. The CJP expressed surprise over the request and quipped that that PML-N leaders were very good speakers.

"Khawaja sahib why don't you say something, you speak very well," the CJP remarked, addressing Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, who was also present in court today, alongside former information minister Pervaiz Rashid, who was representing Nawaz Sharif.

When Rafique expressed doubt over whether he could speak in court, Justice Nisar assured him that he was allowed to speak his mind.

"You have the right to speak here, but we will reply to your statements [made in court]," CJP said.

He said that although the judges did not respond to statements made outside the court, their silence should not be misconstrued as a weakness.

He vowed to protect the honour of the judiciary and declared that political statements were "forbidden" within the premises of the court.

Justice Nisar said that political speeches that criticised the SC or court rulings undermined the institution of the judiciary and warned leaders not to take actions that will "make it difficult for future generations to access justice".

He said that the judiciary respects the Parliament and its members, and that the sentiments should be reciprocated.

Senior PML-N lawyers had appeared in court for the hearing today, including former information minister Pervez Rashid, who represented Nawaz Sharif, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and Senator Raja Zafarul Haq.

Interim stay order requested

The SC rejected Sheikh Rashid's request that the court issue an interim stay order to nullify the amendment which enabled Nawaz to become party chief again.

"How can we nullify a law that has been passed by the Parliament?" the CJP asked.

Hearing arguments from Rashid's counsel Farrogh Naseem, the court adjourned the hearing until February 6.

Anti-judiciary speeches

PML-N leaders, including Nawaz, have criticised the judiciary several times since the SC's landmark verdict on the Panama Papers case which resulted in the disqualification of the former premier.

On several occasions, Nawaz has openly questioned the reasoning behind the decision, repeatedly asking "mujhe kyun nikala?" (why was I expelled?) during his rallies.

Rafique, too, had questioned the judgement on several occasions. While addressing Javed Hashmi's book launch in December last year, he asked the crowd: "Can a chief justice or the chief of army staff never be wrong?"

In December last year, Rafique had claimed that "it is clear that Nawaz Sharif and his family were being targeted through judicial decisions" during a National Assembly session.

PML-N leader Nehal Hashmi had openly threatened "those investigating" the Sharif family's assets with "consequences", while the Panama Papers case was ongoing last year.