Court orders against parliamentary proceedings unconstitutional: Rabbani

ISLAMABAD: Former chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani on Saturday strongly condemned the issuance of stay orders or other judicial directives against the proceedings of Parliament or its committees, terming such interventions by courts -- including superior courts -- a violation of the Constitution.

Rabbani said such “judicial interference” undermines constitutional principles, established parliamentary traditions, and the doctrine of trichotomy of power. “Standing Committees are an extension of Parliament and their proceedings enjoy the same immunity as those of Parliament itself, as provided under the Constitution,” he stated in a statement on Saturday.

He appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take immediate notice of such orders, if issued, and to ensure their withdrawal by the courts concerned.

Rabbani noted that several rulings of the Chairman Senate have affirmed the sanctity of the separation of powers, warning that such court interventions represent judicial overreach.

“This form of judicial activism is not only unconstitutional but also unheard of in international parliamentary practice,” he added. He emphasised that the independence and sanctity of parliamentary proceedings must be preserved, and any encroachment by the judiciary sets a dangerous precedent for democratic governance.