Tarar fears ‘collision’ between institutions
The National Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution against the constitution of the Supreme Court’s eight-member larger bench on the judicial reforms bill.
The resolution was presented by the Pakistan People’s Party Member of the National Assembly Agha Rafiqullah. It stated that the House rejected the constitution of the SC eight-member larger bench without two senior judges against the judicial reforms law.
The resolution demanded the dissolution of the SC’s larger bench. It added that the parliament is solely authorised for legislation. The House expressed concerns over the Supreme Court’s interference in parliamentary affairs.
It further stated that the top court is making unjust verdicts and the House condemns the acceptance of the petition against the bill.
Meanwhile, leaders of the ruling coalition on Thursday denounced the formation of a Supreme Court bench that is currently hearing pleas against pending legislation that seeks to curtail the powers of the chief justice of Pakistan, calling the move “premature” and urging for the bench’s dissolution in light of the ongoing legislative process.
Prior to their appearance at a press conference, the ruling coalition released a joint statement ondemning the composition of the bench, describing it as “controversial” and “unacceptable.” They cited previous cases where similar concerns were raised and urged the apex court to reconsider its decision to form the current bench. They said that “such a move was never seen in the history of Pakistan and the SC”.
The ruling coalition leaders including members of the PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, ANP and other allied parties put a united front against the bench in what they alleged was in defiance of legal principles.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar insisted that the current situation was “very alarming”, alleging a “selective bench” had been formed in disregard of the rules.
