Political parties want to ‘pick and choose’ benches for desired decisions: CJP
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ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial remarked that political parties wanted to “Pick and choose” bench for “Desired judgments”. CJP passed remarks as Supreme Court resumed hearing on petitions challenging law clipping his office’s powers.
An eight-member larger bench of apex court headed by CJP Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed heard case.
At outset of hearing, CJP Bandial remarked that bench will hear everyone after Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan shared that some parties in case would like to address bench via video link.
Top judge observed that important points, including independence of judiciary have been pointed out in case and is “One of kind”. “Our stay order of last hearing is in place. Law related to Supreme Court rules are very clear,” said CJP Bandial. CJP Bandial further stated that judiciary has “Reservations” over law. “Democracy is an important part of Constitution and so is an independent judiciary and federation,” Chief Justice said and wondered whether component of judiciary can be changed.
Chief Justice stressed that independence of judiciary is “Fundamental right”. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim said that judicial reform bill has become part of law. On this point, court sought record of debate held in Parliament and standing committee on judicial reforms. While chairman of Executive Committee of Pakistan Bar Council requested inclusion of senior judges in bench. PBC stated that more than six references have been filed against Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi who is part of bench. However, PBC’s request for formation of full court and exclusion of Justice Naqvi was rejected by court. Supreme Court rejected AGP’s request to withdraw its stay order till April 13.
Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 03 2023
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