SC larger bench to hear SC (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 on Sept 18

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - A larger bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan will hear the SC (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 on September 18.

The Registrar Office has issued notices to the parties. An eight-member larger bench has already stayed the Act. A full court is likely to be formed to hear the case. Chief Justice-designate Qazi Faez Isa will form the bench after taking the oath.

The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 is aimed at giving the power of taking suo motu notice to a three-member committee comprising senior judges including Chief Justice. It also aims to have transparent proceedings in the apex court and includes the right to appeal.

Regarding the constitution of benches, the bill states that every cause, matter or appeal before the apex court would be heard and disposed of by a bench constituted by a committee comprising the CJP and the two senior-most judges. It added that the decisions of the committee would be taken by a majority.

Regarding exercising the apex court’s original jurisdiction, the bill said that any matter invoking the use of Article 184(3) would first be placed before the above mentioned committee.

The bill says that if the committee is of the view that a question of public importance with reference to the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights conferred by Chapter I of Part II of the constitution is involved, it shall constitute a bench comprising not less than three judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan which may also include the members of the committee, for adjudication of the matter.