Judicial reforms bill passed in National Assembly

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill with majority vote, ARY News reported.

The lower house also passed the Lawyers Welfare and Protection Bill.

The judicial reforms bill will now be sent to the Senate for its approval.

Earlier, the National Assembly’s standing committee for law and justice has approved the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 with amendments.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the bill in the house with amendments recommended by the standing committee.

The bill seeking amendments to the powers and authorities of the chief justice of Pakistan.

Law Minister said that Article 184 was exercised unrestrained. The suo moto powers were used by Iftikhar Chaudhry without constraints, while Saqib Nisar crossed the limits.

“Earlier, there was not right to appeal in suo moto, which is against the fundamental rights and Sharia,” Tarar said. “A bench will be comprised of at least five judges in cases of legal and constitutional matters,” law minister said. “The lawyer could now be changed in suo moto cases, which was not allowed earlier,” he further said.

“It was a persistent demand of lawyers for long, now the Supreme Court judges have also raised the matter, thus the time has ripe for the Parliament to play its role over the matter,” federal law minister said.

The bill includes shifting the powers of taking suo motu notice from the chief justice to a three-member committee comprising three senior judges.

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