ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial announced on Thursday the Supreme Court of Pakistan will examine whether a pending bill meant to limit his office’s powers violates the Constitution.
The statement was made after the federal government rejected petitions against the legislation, which is aimed at preventing the top judge from taking suo motu notice in an individual capacity.
During the hearing, an eight-judge bench including Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Shahid Waheed took up the case of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023.
The bill was initially passed by both houses of parliament and sent to the president for his assent, but was rejected by the president who said that it went beyond parliament’s competence. However, on Monday the bill was passed by a joint sitting of parliament with amendments amid noisy protests from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers.
During the hearing, the judge noted the importance of judicial independence but also expressed respect for parliament. The court then issued notices to political parties, the federal government, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), among other respondents.
The case has been adjourned until next week.
More details to follow