In A First, Pakistan SC Proceedings Begin Broadcasting Live Amid Controversial Legislation
In an unprecedented move, the Pakistan Supreme Court has initiated live streaming of hearings concerning a series of petitions challenging the contentious Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023. This act mandates the formation of benches to deliberate on constitutional matters of public significance, and it stipulates that such benches must be composed of a committee consisting of three senior judges of the Pakistani court, reported Karachi-based Dawn news outlet.
This decision coincided with the first day in office for Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa. In a prelude to the hearing, CJP Isa called for a full court meeting. Immediately after being sworn in on Sunday, Justice Isa, whose tenure extends until October 2024, assembled a full court to address a cluster of pleas challenging the aforementioned legislation. According to Dawn, this legislation had been suspended by the Supreme Court during the tenure of former CJP Umar Ata Bandial in April.
The bench, presided over by CJP Isa, boasts a distinguished lineup, including Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.
Ahead of the hearing’s commencement, the federal government submitted a request to the Supreme Court, urging the dismissal of the petitions challenging the law. Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan argued that the petitions challenging an act of Parliament were inadmissible.
Justice Isa refuses guard of honour
Pakistan’s Justice Isa declined to receive a guard of honour upon his arrival at the Supreme Court in Islamabad on his first day as the new Chief Justice. Instead, he was greeted by the court’s staff, receiving a bouquet of flowers from the registrar.
“Thank you all so much. We need a lot of cooperation from you all,” he said, expressing his gratitude to the staff. He promised detailed meetings with them and noted the full court hearing scheduled for the day.
CJP Isa underscored that people typically approached the top court not when they were content but when they sought resolutions to their pressing issues. He called upon the court staff to treat visitors as “guests” and emphasised the importance of keeping the doors of the Supreme Court open and accessible to all. “Help those coming [to the SC],” he urged.
