The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Bill 2024 and bills regarding increase in the number of judges have been approved in the National Assembly. After which the number of judges of the Supreme Court will be 34, while the number of judges of the Islamabad High Court will be increased to 12.
The National Assembly session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq started two hours and 40 minutes late, in which the motion to suspend the normal proceedings was first approved.
After that, Prime Minister Nazir Tarar presented the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance and the bill to increase the number of judges in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, there was a lot of noise and loud sloganeering by the opposition.
On which the Speaker directed the members of the opposition to sit in their seats, but the slogans of Chor Aya Chor Aya continued in the House.
The Law Minister said that the opposition has been taught only one lesson, they have not learned the second lesson, if they want to talk, listen to me first.
The Law Minister said that thousands of cases are pending in the courts, now we have 16 judges, we need to increase the number of judges, so the number of judges is being increased to 34.
During the clause-by-clause passage of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Bill, 2024, opposition members gathered in front of the Speaker’s dais, the opposition raised loud noise and tore copies of the bill.
{try{this.style.height=this.contentWindow.document.body.scrollHeight+’px’;}catch{}}, 100)” width=”100%” frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” style=”height:250px;position:relative” src=” sandbox=”allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups allow-modals allow-forms”>
The Islamabad High Court Amendment Bill was also presented in the National Assembly.
The Law Minister said that the number of judges of the Islamabad High Court will increase from 9 to 12 through the bill.
Apart from this, the Army Act 1952 amendment bill, Pakistan Air Force Act 1962 and Pakistan Navy Act 1953 amendment bill were also passed.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif presented the amendment bill regarding the rules of Pakistan Armed Forces.
On the other hand, a 39-point agenda was also released for the Senate session, according to which 3 new bills will be presented in the House in today’s session, while the standing committee reports and approval of 11 bills are also included in the agenda.
The government has instructed all members of parliament to ensure attendance in the houses.
#Number #Supreme #Court #Judges #Practice #Procedure #Amendment #Bill #passed #majority #vote #Pakistan
**Interview with Legal Analyst, Dr. Amina Raza**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Raza, and thank you for joining us today. The National Assembly has recently approved the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Bill and other related bills aimed at increasing the number of Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court judges. What impact do you think this increase will have on the judicial system in Pakistan?
**Dr. Raza:** Thank you for having me. The decision to increase the number of judges from 16 to 34 in the Supreme Court and raising the Islamabad High Court’s judges to 12 is significant. With a backlog of thousands of cases, this expansion is aimed at addressing delays in justice. More judges can lead to quicker case resolutions, which is essential for restoring public confidence in the judicial system.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on how this change might influence ongoing legal proceedings and public perception of the judiciary?
**Dr. Raza:** Certainly. With more judges, we can expect a more efficient handling of cases, which means that justice can be delivered more swiftly. This is crucial in a system where delays often lead to frustration among the public and can erode trust in legal institutions. If people see that their cases are being addressed in a timely manner, it may enhance their faith in the rule of law.
**Host:** The session wasn’t without its controversies, as there were protests from the opposition. What does this tell us about the political climate surrounding judicial reforms?
**Dr. Raza:** The loud protests and slogans from the opposition suggest that there are deep political divisions regarding judicial reforms. It seems that some factions are concerned about the increasing number of judges, possibly fearing that it may benefit the current government or influence judicial decisions. These tensions could lead to further debates about the independence of the judiciary and the appointment process for these judges.
**Host:** Lastly, do you think this bill, amidst opposition protests, could face challenges moving forward?
**Dr. Raza:** It’s quite likely. While the bill has passed, the political landscape is ever-changing. The opposition may launch legal challenges or further protests, claiming that such increases should be undertaken with more consensus. Ensuring that reforms are broadly accepted, rather than just pushed through the assembly, will be critical for their long-term viability and acceptance in society.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Raza, for your insights on this crucial issue. We’ll continue to monitor the developments surrounding these judicial reforms.
**Dr. Raza:** Thank you for having me.
