President Dr. Arif Alvi has so far showed an unprecedented patience over the controversial decisions of federal cabinet including the decision against the judiciary.
Yesterday, President Dr. Arif Alvi returned the controversial Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill to the government and did not sign it. This act of the President can be called an important measure to prevent new confrontation between the judiciary and the legislature. It is obvious that the purpose of the bill is to curtail the powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill was sent to the President for his signature, however, the President suggested that the Parliament reconsider the Bill as it can easily be challenged in any court. In the bill, an attempt was made to change the constitutional provisions related to the Chief Justice.
Amendments to the constitution cannot be made through formal legislation but through constitutional amendments. In fact, all the jurists and political classes of the country see this bill as an attempt to reduce the powers of Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial, while this move comes at a time when the Punjab government is averse to elections.
When the Supreme Court ordered the provincial government to hold elections, there was a reaction from both the Federation and Punjab, while the President tried to stop the conflict between the government and the legislature by sending back the bill. Article 191 of the Constitution allows the Supreme Court to make its own rules regarding judicial practice and procedure.
Technically, the Constitution of Pakistan is the most comprehensive constitution in the world, which contains all the detailed provisions regarding the structure and functions of the government, the rights and duties of citizens and the relationship between the state and the people. And so far, many amendments have been made in it.
It is necessary that all the pillars of the democratic system, including the judiciary, legislature and military authorities, instead of fighting for power, should perform their duties while respecting the constitution of Pakistan so that the way to solve the real problems of the people can be paved somehow.
