ISLAMABAD: The ruling coalition government of PDM has strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s recent decision to form an eight-judge bench to hear a petition challenging the Supreme Court Procedure and Practice Bill 2023.
The bill is aimed at limiting the powers of the Chief Justice.
In a statement released on Thursday, the ruling coalition rejected the move by SC and called it controversial. The statement stated that the move has never been seen before in the history of Pakistan and the court. The government parties claim that it is an attempt to destroy the credibility of the highest court and make the constitutional process of justice meaningless.
The statement also criticized the bench itself, calling it a testimony of the division of the Supreme Court. The government parties reiterated their position against biased and dictatorial behavior and the formation of special benches. They pointed out that respected judges of the Supreme Court have also expressed their objections to such actions.
The ruling parties expressed their disappointment that no judge from smaller provinces such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been included in the bench. They called the move an attack on the authority of the parliament, which they will resist.
The statement further expressed concern about the haste with which the bench was formed and the bill was fixed for hearing. The government parties claim that this shows an intention to come to a decision that is against justice and fairness.
In its statement released to media, the ruling PDM cites statements given by different Bar Councils on the action of the Supreme Court and the formation of the controversial bench was cited as clear proof of this.
The statement called the move by SC as not only against justice and fairness but also against established judicial principles and procedures.
