ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has scheduled a hearing on May 2 for a plea filed against the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure Bill) 2023, which seeks to curtail the powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).
The eight-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, will hear the case on Tuesday. The court has issued notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), as well as nine political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).
The Supreme Court had earlier halted the implementation of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023 in a previous hearing.
However, despite the court’s directive, the National Assembly had last week notified the bill’s conversion into an act, thereby passing it into law.
Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure Bill) 2023
The bill aims to give the power of taking suo motu notice to a three-member committee comprising senior judges, including the CJP. It also aims to ensure transparent proceedings in the apex court and includes the right to appeal.
The bill further states that every cause, matter or appeal before the Supreme Court would be heard and disposed of by the apex court bench constituted by a committee comprising the Chief Justice and the two senior-most judges.
The decisions of the committee would be taken by a majority. In case of matters invoking the use of Article 184(3), the bill requires that it be placed before the above-mentioned committee.
If the committee believes that a question of public importance is involved, it will constitute a bench comprising not less than three judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan for the adjudication of the matter.
The bill additionally grants the right to appoint counsel of choice for filing a review application under Article 188 of the Constitution.
It remains to be seen how the court will respond to the plea filed against the bill and whether it will lead to any changes to the newly passed law.
