ISLAMABAD: The "joint opposition" on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to quash the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa and asked President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to step down for the "unconstitutional, illegal, false and malicious reference" against the respectable judge of the apex court.

The demand was made in a joint statement of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), and Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo's National Party.

The joint statement, released to the media by PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, welcomed the Supreme Court's decision on Friday in which the apex court threw out the presidential reference against Justice Isa.

"The entire nation is demanding that those who - President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan - made unconstitutional, illegal, false and malicious reference must resign.

It further stated: "the reality of "Asset Recovery Unit" has come before the nation and it should be shutdown immediately in the light of the decision of the Supreme Court".

The "joint opposition", in its statement, maintained that an attempt was made to defame the higher judiciary by making a "baseless" reference based on "malice" against a respected judge.

"The reference was, in fact, a vicious attempt 'to twist the arm the higher judiciary' and bring it under pressure," it stated.

The "joint opposition' also paid tribute to the judiciary for upholding and protecting the rule of law through its decision.

Congratulating the lawyers' community across the country, it stated: "a 'fascist' thinking piled up before their unity and determination".

The "joint opposition" also paid tributes to the Pakistan Bar Council, and the provincial bar councils for their outstanding role.

"The legal community had once again played a historic role at a critical juncture. Today, the truth, honesty, the rule of law, and justice have prevailed," it stated.

"The 'conspiracy' against the judiciary has failed, and Imran Khan's mentality had come to the fore. The Supreme Court's decision has exposed the 'malice' of the government," it maintained, adding that the decision was yet another addition to 'long list of failures' of the PTI government.