Supreme Court proceedings go live for the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history
Before the commencement of the hearing, the federal government urged the apex court to dismiss the pleas challenging the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023
Supreme Court proceedings are being broadcast live on Monday for the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history.
All eyes are set on the Supreme Court’s full court — comprising all 15 judges of the apex court — live telecast of proceedings on a set of petitions challenging the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 — the contentious law seeking to regulate suo motu powers of the country’s top judge.
As reported, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa has ordered to live-stream all the important cases of the Supreme Court on national television.
The court decided to take a short break after hearing arguments from two lawyers, saying that the hearing would resume after 3 p.m.
Headed by CJP Qazi Faez Isa, the full bench consists of 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.
Before the commencement of the hearing, the federal government urged the apex court to dismiss the pleas challenging the law.
Ahead of the hearing today, the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan submitted the federal government’s detailed response in the matter, requesting the court to reject the petitions against the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act.
“Petitions against acts of parliament are inadmissible. [Therefore,] the petitions against the Practice and Procedure Act should be dismissed,” the response submitted by the government contended.
Shortly after taking oath on Sunday, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa formed a full court to take up a set of pleas challenging the legislation, which was suspended by the SC under then-CJP Umar Ata Bandial earlier in April.
