ISLAMABAD: The coalition government on Friday introduced the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance, 2024 (Ordinance No. VIII of 2024) in the upper house of Parliament.
The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance bill was tabled by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, as required by clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Senate deputy chairman has referred the bill to the relevant standing committee for further consideration.
On October 25, the federal government announced plans to amend the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, including proposals to increase the number of Supreme Court judges on the committee responsible for forming benches for cases.
According to media reports, members of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have been instructed to actively participate in the proceedings.
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The ordinance, which was promulgated by the President on September 19, 2024, modifies the Practice and Procedure Act passed by Parliament in April 2023. This earlier Act granted the right to appeal against decisions on constitutional petitions and empowered the chief justice to appoint a judge of choice to the three-member Practice and Procedure Committee of the Supreme Court.
However, the ordinance has triggered criticism from the opposition and legal fraternity, with petitions landed in the Supreme Court arguing that it violates Articles 2, 4, 9, and 10 of the Constitution.
