Follow Us on Google News
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan stated on Thursday that the Supreme Court (Practise & Procedure) Act, 2023, which seeks to curtail the powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, will be reviewed by the government, as Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial adjourned the hearing till next week.
The hearing — which was conducted by an eight-judge bench comprising the CJP, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed — was put off shortly after it commenced.
During a hearing of a set of petitions against the Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act, 2023, he stated that the federal government will review the legislation and take into account the judiciary’s advice.
Subsequently, the SC adjourned the hearing of the case till next week. An eight-member bench conducted the hearing.
“The law deals with several other aspects in addition to suo moto powers of Chief Justice of Pakistan,” said Awan. “It is highly extensive and includes provisions related to the internal affairs of the court.”
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial stated that the government should consult with SC when making laws related to the judiciary. The CJP also welcomed Awan’s proposal.
The Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act, 2023 aims at giving the power of taking suo motu notice to a three-member committee comprising senior judges including Chief Justice. It also aims to have transparent proceedings in the apex court and includes the right to appeal.
Regarding the constitution of benches, the bill states that every cause, matter or appeal before the apex court would be heard and disposed of by a bench constituted by a committee comprising the CJP and the two senior-most judges. It added that the decisions of the committee would be taken by a majority.
