ISLAMABAD: The committee constituted under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 has modified the minutes of its earlier 18th meeting held a few days ago.
It was stated that Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, members of the committee, have desired that in order to accurately reflect the discussion that took place in the meeting, the following modifications be made in the minutes of the 18th meeting of the committee: Regarding the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, Justice Mansoor Ali and Justice Munib were of the view that the case was heard over eight hearings by a five-member bench, which was constituted by the former CJ vide administrative order dated 6-12-2022 (prior to promulgation of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023).
The bench comprised Justice Umar Ata Bandial, CJ, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.
Considering that Justice Jamal Mandokhail and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, out of the said 5-member bench, had extensively heard the case, it would be appropriate that Justice Jamal Mandokhail should head the bench and three senior most judges, after Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, be included in the bench, namely Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi.
Constitution of Shariat Appellate Bench: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa stated that due to unavailability of above judges, he was ready to shoulder the responsibility of deciding old Shariat cases even during summer vacations during the weeks he was holding a regular three-member bench.