The Supreme Court issued a show-cause notice for contempt of court to its Additional Registrar, Nazar Abbas, on Monday, ordering him to appear in person.
The court had been scheduled to address a recurring issue regarding whether regular benches could hear cases involving the constitutionality of laws, following the establishment of the Constitutional Bench under the 26th Amendment.
However, during today’s hearing, Barrister Salahuddin informed the bench, led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, that although the court had ordered the case to be fixed for today, the cause list had not been issued.
Justice Shah questioned why the case concerning the Supreme Court benches’ powers was not scheduled before the court, prompting the summoning of the court official.
Deputy Registrar Zulfiqar Ahmed appeared before the court and explained that the Additional Registrar was on leave. He also informed the court that the Judges Committee had decided to schedule the case related to the constitutional amendment before the Constitutional Bench on January 27.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who is also a member of the committee, expressed surprise, saying he was unaware of the decision. Justice Ayisha Malik questioned why the cause list for the entire week had been altered and demanded a written order to explain the change.
The Deputy Registrar stated that they had not received any written order from the Judges Committee. Justice Shah then asked why the case had not been fixed when the office had not received any such order. Justice Aqeel Abbasi added that no one had the authority to transfer the case.
The Deputy Registrar further mentioned that the Research Officer had noted that cases involving legal questions would be heard by the Constitutional Bench. Justice Ayisha Malik responded that the Research Officer would now review the court orders to determine their accuracy. She added, “I have never seen a case simply disappear like this in my judicial career.”
