The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has announced to oppose the judicial reforms bill aiming to curtail the suo motu powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).
While speaking at the National Assembly, GDA lawmaker Saira Bano condemned the current government, saying that “after destroying the country’s economy, they [government] are now diverting the attention to the shortcomings of the institutions.”
If “one-man show” has been around for 75 years in Pakistan, as Saira Bano claimed, why is the assembly only being presented with a change for the judiciary?
She further questioned if the National Assembly (NA) is established to address national-level issues or personal grudges. She added that none of the NA lawmakers is talking about people dying of inflation.
Federal cabinet approves draft law to curtail CJP SUO MOTU powers
Bano stated that but the ruling politicians frequently referred to Toshakhana gifts in court, they neglected to say “a necklace.” She continued by saying that another former prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, was sued by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Bano stated that she has been threatened with murder.
She appealed to the government not to engage in conflict with the national organisations because otherwise, things would spiral out of control.
According to Saira Bano, the GDA has resolved to oppose any judicial legislation directed at Pakistan’s Chief Justice. (CJP). She claimed that in order to save themselves, the current ruling class chose to destroy the institutions.
Two judges’ opinion not relevant in POLLS delay case, says CJP Bandial
Law minister presents judicial reforms bill
It is important to note that the judicial reforms measure, which sought to limit the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s suo motu authority, was introduced by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar. (CJP).
After receiving federal cabinet approval, law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the judicial reforms measure to the National Assembly (NA).
In accordance with the new law, three senior Supreme Court (SC) judges will decide whether to issue a suo motu notice and they will have 14 days to schedule an appeal.
The chief justice’s sole authority to take suo motu notice will no longer exist due to the new law. Additionally, it was stated that the judiciary would be required to schedule the case’s hearing within 15 days in order to offer prompt and temporary respite.
It also stated that in a suo motu case, the side will be permitted to switch attorneys. The issue will be brought up before a judge’s commission in accordance with Article 184. A five-member group will be formed after the case has been reviewed by the committee for any constitutional interpretation.
All decisions made by the high tribunals and the Supreme Court will be subject to the act’s provisions. (SC)
