Ruling PDM parties reject SC’s larger bench hearing the Bill clipping powers of chief justice
ISLAMABAD: The coalition parties in the government today rejected the 8-member larger bench of the Supreme Court to hear the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023.
The PDM parties have termed the larger bench controversial that would tarnish the image of the apex court.
The coalition parties in the government held an urgent meeting on Thursday morning and unanimously rejected the SC’s bench.
Such a move has never been seen before in the history of Pakistan and the judiciary, the coalition parties’ declaration stated. This is tantamount to jeopardizing the credibility of the highest court and rendering the process of justice meaningless, the statement added.
The bench is proof of the divisions within the Supreme Court, which validates the government’s position again, the statement said.
It further said the honorable judges have themselves objected to the ‘one-man show’, the biased and dictatorial behavior and formation of special benches.
The formation of the controversial eight-member bench is further proof of the facts stated in these judgments.
On Wednesday, the Chief Justice of Pakistan formed an 8-member larger bench of the Supreme Court to hear the petitions against Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023.
The larger bench will take up for hearing on Thursday (April 13) petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023.
CJP will be the head of the bench, comprising Justices Ijazul Ahsan, Muneeb Akhtar, Mazahir Naqvi, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha Malik, Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Shahid Waheed.
The recent joint session of the Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023. It will become law 10 days after its approval from the parliament.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented the Bill. The joint session passed the clause-wise approval of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill.
PTI senators opposed the Bill and raised slogans against the PDM-led Shehbaz Sharif government. The session has been adjourned till May 15 till 4 pm.
The 8-member larger bench will once again annoy the coalition government partners who are demanding a full court to hear high-profile cases.
