Islamabad, September 20,2024- President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Practice and Procedure Ordinance, which has now officially been issued.
Under Section 2, Sub-Clause 1 of the Practice and Procedure Act, a committee will be responsible for scheduling cases. This committee will include the Chief Justice, the most senior judge, and a judge nominated by the Chief Justice.
The ordinance also amends Section 3 of the Practice and Procedure Act, requiring that public interest reasons be provided prior to hearings.
Additionally, Sections 7A and 7B have been added to the Act. Under Section 7A, cases filed earlier will be heard first. If a judicial bench hears a case out of turn, it will be required to provide reasons.
Earlier the federal cabinet had approved the Practice and Procedure Ordinance.
What is Practice and Procedure Ordinance?
According to details, a new sub-clause has been added to Section 2 of the Practice and Procedure Act, stating that the committee will include the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the most senior judge, and a judge nominated by the Chief Justice.
Section 3 of the Act has been amended, and under Sub-Clause 2 of Section 3 and Clause 3 of Article 184, public interest reasons must be provided before the hearing of a case.
Sections 7A and 7B have also been included in the ordinance. Section 7A mandates that cases filed earlier will be heard first. If a judicial bench hears a case out of turn, it must provide reasons for doing so.
Section 7B requires that all court cases and appeals be recorded, and transcripts will be made available to the public. These transcripts and recordings can be obtained for public use by paying a court fee of fifty rupees per page.
