Parliament set to witness crucial proceedings

ISLAMABAD: This week, Pakistan’s political landscape is poised for intense parliamentary and political activity, holding far-reaching implications for the nation’s judiciary.

Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar is set to present the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 to the National Assembly on Monday (today). Mandated under Article 89(2) of the Constitution, this move is part of the government’s efforts to reform the legal framework and ensure swift justice.

An Ordinance, according to this Article laid before the National Assembly shall be deemed to be a bill introduced in the House. The same was also laid in the Senate on Friday and was referred to the standing committee of the House. The National Assembly session which was scheduled to commence at 5 pm on Monday, will now be held at 4 pm.

The president promulgated the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance, 2024 on September 20 to amend the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023. It provides that every cause and matter before the SC shall be heard and disposed of by a bench constituted by the committee comprising the chief justice of Pakistan, the next most senior judge of the SC and an SC judge nominated by the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP).

The recently retired CJP Qazi Faez Isa reconstituted the judges’ committee replacing Justice Munib Akhtar with Justice Aminuddin Khan. The new CJP Justice Yahya Afridi, shortly after taking oath, brought Justice Akhtar back into the committee by excluding Justice Aminuddin.

The government in supplementary agenda, is also likely to move the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to amend to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2024 for consideration of the House and passage. Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar introduced the same bill in the House on Friday. The changes in the law would allow the security agencies to detain suspects for six months on charges of counter-terrorism.

Another bill titled the Supreme Court (number of judges) (amendment) bill, 2024 is also likely to be tabled in the National Assembly on Monday. PMLN MNA Barrister Aqeel Malik said that the bill relating to the increase in the number of judges from 17 to 25 was tabled as a private member bill by Senator Abdul Qadar, an independent member.

While speaking on a television channel on Sunday night Barrister Aqeel Malik said that three bills will be brought to the National Assembly on Monday. He said that there are many speculations and misunderstandings concerning the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, of 2024. He said it was wrong impression that the legislation was meant to be used against any particular political party saying that it has become a habit to find negativity in good work. “ This legislation is meant to deal effectively deal matters relating to terrorism and threats posed to national security”, he said.

Against this backdrop, this week will witness several important constitutional and judicial changes. Several meetings of the highest judicial and parliamentary forums are being held this week, which will have an impact on each other.

The Parliament will debate important amendments to the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Ordinance to increase the number of judges of the Supreme Court to 25. The opposition parties will resist these changes in Houses and are expected to challenge them in the courts. The decision regarding the constitutional benches is also expected. The meeting of the complaints forum against the judges will be held on Friday and some complaints of the judges are also likely to be heard.

Among the political developments, Imran Khan’s indictment and acquittal petitions are to be taken by respective judicial forums. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is going to London to accompany her father during his treatment. The prime minister is also expected to return to Saudi Arabia, his second visit in 10 days.for the past 22 days.