CJP's suo motu powers bill challenged in SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) bill 2023, which aims to curtail the suo motu powers of office of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) has been challenged in the top court, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

As per details, the bill was challenged by Advocate Muhammad Shaafi Munir in the Supreme Court.

The plea filed in the Supreme Court stated that the bill shall be declared illegal and unconstitutional. It further stated that only Supreme Court has the authority to change or make its rulings.

Earlier yesterday, the Joint Sitting of Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, which aims to curtail the suo motu powers of office of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP).

Read more: PARLIAMENT’S JOINT SITTING PASSES SC BILL CLIPPING CJP’S SUO MOTU POWER

The bill was passed amid strong protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers.

Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 which was passed by the Parliament.

The bill

Under the new legislation, the decision for suo motu notice will be taken by three senior judges of the Supreme Court (SC).

Moreover, the bill also includes a clause regarding the right to appeal against the decision, which could be filed within 30 days and fixed for a hearing in two weeks.

It added that the party will be allowed to change its lawyer in a suo motu case. Under Article 184, the matter will be presented before a judges committee. The committee will review the case and later form a five-member committee for any kind of constitutional interpretation.

The act will be taken into effect on all verdict of the high courts and the Supreme Court (SC).

It is to important to mention that President Dr Arif Alvi had returned the ‘judicial reforms’ bill for reconsideration to the Parliament as per the provisions of Article 75 of the Constitution.