Justice Shah’s Non-Attendance Forces SC Practice and Procedure Meeting to Adjourn Early

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court left without attending the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Committee meeting in Islamabad on Monday, according to sources.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan also chose to depart from the meeting after Justice Shah failed to attend. Sources mentioned that both judges had waited for Justice Shah’s arrival before ultimately deciding to exit, resulting in the session being adjourned early due to his absence.

This meeting was significant as it was the first held after the federal government issued an ordinance amending the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023. CJP Qazi Faez Isa was expected to chair the session, which was organized to decide on the composition of benches for cases scheduled for the following week.

However, with Justice Shah not present, the meeting’s proceedings were cut short, delaying the decisions that were meant to be taken regarding the upcoming cases. The unexpected lack of attendance impacted the court’s plans, disrupting the formation of benches for next week’s hearings.

SC Verdicts Binding on All, Says Justice Mansoor Ali Shah

Justice Munib Akhtar Excluded from Judges’ Committee

KP Chief Minister Gandapur Vows to Advocate for Justice and Rights

Last week, CJP Isa changed the composition of the three-judge committee by substituting Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan in place of Justice Munib Akhtar moments after President Asif Ali Zardari signed off the amended Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023.

On Friday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that President Asif Ali Zardari had approved the Supreme Court Practice Law after the federal cabinet endorsed the ordinance, stating it was implemented to “serve the public interest.”

Previously, cases falling under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, also known as the apex court’s suo motu jurisdiction, were overseen by a three-member panel comprising the three most senior judges. However, a newly introduced ordinance has amended this rule, allowing the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to appoint any Supreme Court judge as the third member of the panel.

Earlier that day, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah delivered the majority verdict on the reserved seats case, which was backed by seven other justices: Munib Akhtar, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha A. Malik, Athar Minallah, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, and Irfan Saadat Khan.

The ruling emphasized the critical importance of free and fair elections in a democracy, stating that the judiciary plays a vital role in safeguarding electoral integrity and maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.

Follow us on our social media platforms here: Twitter  WHATSAPP CHANNEL FACEBOOK PAGE