For the first time ever in Pakistan, the Supreme Court proceedings are being broadcast live. This historic event is happening during Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa’s tenure, as the court hears petitions regarding the Practice and Procedure Act.
A full court, comprised of 15 Supreme Court judges, is currently reviewing these petitions against the Act. The federal government has responded in writing, asking the court, through the Attorney General, to dismiss the petitions challenging the Act.
Earlier this year, on April 13, an 8-member bench of the Supreme Court temporarily halted the implementation of the Practice and Procedure Act. This law deals with how the Chief Justice’s powers are delegated in cases of public interest.
Under this Act, the Chief Justice and a committee of two senior judges are responsible for deciding whether to take automatic notice of certain matters.
Notably, Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, who recently became the Chief Justice of Pakistan, had declined to participate in any constitutional bench until the petitions regarding the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act were resolved.
