Canada Global (Web News) The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, was approved in a joint session of parliament, and the federal government sent it back to President Arif Alvi on Tuesday for his signature.
The purpose of the bill is to limit the chief justice of Pakistan’s ability to take suo motu notice in accordance with clause (3) of Article 184 of the Constitution. A three-member committee made up of senior judges, including the chief justice, will have the authority to take suo motu notice if the measure is signed into law by the president.
Additionally, it states that any matter involving the exercise of original jurisdiction under clause (3) of Article 184 of the Constitution must first be brought before the committee for review. If the committee determines that the matter involves the enforcement of one or more fundamental rights, it must then establish a bench consisting of at least three judges of the supreme court, which may also include committee members.
In accordance with the Constitution, assent is presumed to have been provided if the President fails to sign the law within 10 days.
The bill was introduced a day earlier by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar in the joint session of parliament for reexamination in light of the president’s letter.
Speaking at the event, the minister claimed that the opposition had displayed ignorance regarding the subject and claimed that the president had made a disparaging remark about the power of the house to pass laws. He said, “Mr. Alvi ought to have prevented this.”
The measure “prima-facie travels outside the competence of the Parliament and can be assailed as a colorable legislation,” according to President Alvi, who had sent the bill back to parliament for reconsideration on April 8.