Islamabad, November 15, 2024- Member of the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar has clarified that bench now holds the authority to take suo motu notices, a power previously exclusive to the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Speaking during a hearing on Friday, he explained that the 26th Constitutional Amendment has only modified the process, requiring such cases to be handled by a constitutional bench.
Key proceedings and cases on Friday.
The newly formed constitutional bench, led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, began hearings on Thursday to address a significant case backlog. Comprising six justices, the bench addressed 34 cases over two days, issuing several important directives: Following are the details of the hearings on Friday.
- Islamabad Convention Centre: The bench sought the Attorney General’s response on its private use and directed compliance with institutional policies.
- Undisclosed Foreign Accounts: Reports from FIA and FBR were requested on the recovery of embezzled funds, with proceedings adjourned for two weeks.
- Federal Ombudsperson Contempt Case: Additional time was granted to submit a response regarding former Ombudsperson Yasmin Abbasi, with Justice Mandokhail questioning the focus on a former official.
- IT University in Islamabad: The court urged swift action on land allocation, emphasizing the public’s need for education.
- Lady Health Workers’ Regularisation: The Sindh Advocate General defended compliance with court orders, while Justice Mazhar questioned the structure for ensuring workers’ rights.
Upcoming Hearings
The bench has scheduled hearings on key cases, including:
- November 18: Mandatory inclusion of independent candidates in political parties.
- November 20: Petition against the Sunni Ittehad Council’s parliamentary status.
Justice Mazhar reiterated that while the amendment introduced procedural changes, the Supreme Court’s authority to take suo motu notices remains intact. The constitutional bench, he emphasized, ensures a structured approach to addressing these significant cases.
