ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Thursday passed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 aimed at restructuring the suo motu powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, despite fierce opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislators.
The bill received 60 votes in favour and 19 against, amid a chaotic scene in the Senate as PTI senators protested the move. Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the bill which was passed with majority votes.
Moving the bill in the Upper House of Parliament, Tarar said it was the demand of the bar associations and councils to introduce the bill and they had supported the bill.“This bill is an old demand of the bar councils which say that indiscriminate use of Article 184(3) should be stopped,” he added.
He said it was prerogative of the parliament to do legislation under Article 191 of the Constitution.The Supreme Court’s rules were framed under Article 191 of the Constitution and were promulgated in 1980, he said, adding Article 184 was excessively used in the past. “The country has to bear hefty billions of dollars in loss in cases like Reko Diq and Pakistan Steel Mills,” he added.
The minister said the bill aimed to have transparent proceedings in the apex court and it also included the right to appeal. He said all institutions had to follow the laws passed by parliament.
The minister quoted Article 191 of the Constitution, which says that subject to the Constitution and law, the Supreme Court may make rules regulating the practice and procedure of the court.Besides, the house passed two more bills — The Lawyers Welfare and Protection Bill, 2023 and the Inter-Boards Coordination Commission Bill, 2023.
The Pakistan Maritime Zones Bill, 2023 and the Pir Roshaan Institute of Progressive Sciences and Technologies, Miranshah Bill, 2023 were also introduced in the house. The house will now meet again on Friday (today) at 10:30 in the morning.
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