ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court adjourned hearing till next week on set of petitions against Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023-aimed at limiting powers of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).

 Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan apprised court that government had decided to review legislation (Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023) and take into account judiciary’s advice. 8-member larger bench headed by CJP Umar Ata Bandial comprised 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.

 During hearing, CJP said government should consult with Supreme Court when it makes laws related to judiciary. On April 13, same bench had suspended ‘Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023’ before it was enacted. However, on April 21, bill did become law even as its implementation had been halted by court.  Law envisages three-member committee, comprising CJP and two senior-most judges, which will via majority form benches as well as decide when to take suo motu action-powers that currently reside with CJP alone.  It adds to review jurisdiction of Supreme Court, giving right to file an appeal within 30 days of judgment in suo motu cases.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 02 2023

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