Bill clipping powers of chief justice of Pakistan challenged in SC Registry in Lahore
ISLAMABAD: A lawyer has challenged the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 in the Supreme Court Lahore registry on Wednesday.
The petitioner, advocate Shahid Rana filed the plea with the SC’s Registry in Lahore.
He argued that the formation of benches in the Supreme Court is the administrative authority of the CJP.
The petitioner also argued that giving the right to appeal in suo motu cases is not possible without amending the Constitution.
Shahid Rana said that the Act aims at curtailing the powers of the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
The petitioner, therefore, urged the court to declare the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 null and void.
Only Parliament can rewrite Constitution
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that only Parliament can rewrite Constitution and judiciary cannot do it.
PM Shehbaz stated this while addressing at the launching of the “Constitution of Pakistan 1997 App” in Islamabad before Eid holidays.
He inaugurated the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 app. It will enable millions of Pakistanis to access the basic principles of the Constitution through digital technology.
PM Shehbaz said, “Transferring the Constitution of Pakistan to digital technology is a matter of happiness. Through the mobile app, the youth will be able to benefit from the Constitution.”
The time has come for everyone to come together to uphold and respect the Constitution, he added.
He pointed out that it never happened that the Supreme Court issued a stay order against an unenacted bill. The Constitution has been rewritten and tarnished by dictators, he said, adding the judiciary and bars will act as the guardians of the sacred document.
Ruling Coalition ready for talks on elections
Meanwhile, The ruling parties in the coalition showed its willingness to negotiate the process of holding elections on the same day with other political parties as per the order of the Supreme Court.
On Thursday (April 27), the Supreme Court will resume hearing of the elections case.
