Supreme Court of Pakistan to Address Petitions on General Elections and Military Court Trials

General Elections Petitions to be Heard by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa

With these concerns in mind, the Supreme Court of Pakistan led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has planned for a hearing scheduled for next Monday on numerous petitions related to the timely holding of General elections in Pakistan. One of these major petitions was filed in court by SCBA concerning general elections.
The SCBA with great intensity demands that the court’s respondents provide definite instructions in response to this petition arguing that in accordance with Pakistan’s constitution, all activities must be concluded within 90 days. The SCBA’s unified undertaking reflects such shared imperative towards conducting the election based on the country’s national laws.

Challenge Against Civilian Trials in Military Courts to be Reviewed by Special Bench

In addition to the above, a special five-member bench, led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, has also been created to deliberate on petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts. In these petitions, numerous PTI leaders are put in jail for actions pertaining to 9th May. Notably, the challenge for the Supreme Court of Pakistan includes pleas from various notable figures such as former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, former Chief Justice Jawad S Khwaja, and Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, along with civil society members. Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and other notable lawyers and constitutionalists of Pakistan have vehemently opposed the initiation of trials of PTI Chairman and other PTI workers in military cases.

Recent Developments in the Supreme Court Proceedings

Recently, we have witnessed some notable changes in judicial proceedings, especially in the case studies of three members panel sitting under supreme court (Practice and Procedure) act 2023. Recently, this committee issued instructions about careful preparation and submission of cases related to Article 184(3) of the constitution.
Notable names in this committee are Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, and Justice Ijazul Ahsan who are all highly respected and known for their extensive legal knowledge and integrity in the field of law. The initiative exemplifies the judiciary’s determination to make critical cases following the Constitution easier through efficient legal procedure.

Approval of Justice Irfan Saadat Khan’s Elevation to the Supreme Court

Following the meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa during which the Judicial Commission of Pakistan agreed on the promotion of Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, who is currently the acting chief justice of the honourable Sindh High Court into a judge in the honour This important decision will then have the nomination moved to the Parliamentary Committee before proceeding with the rest of the process for the appointment and confirmation in the judicial hierarchy.

Determination of Criteria for Appointment of High Court Judges

The commission members discussed sophisticated issues relating to criteria for appointing judges into high courts during this session. More importantly, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa motivated commission members to participate and noted that their opinions were very valuable for this task. Thus, as proof of the commission’s seriousness in proper evaluation, the date for submission was extended to Friday 27th October, hence allowing for detailed scrutiny.

There is no doubt that the Pakistani court of law keeps its devotion to the provisions laid down in the constitution which calls for fairness and equality in the judicial system across the country. This uncompromising position on the part of the judiciary reflects its firm determination and commitment towards the administration of justice without any bias, upholding justice and the rule of law, preserving democracy and human rights principles.

Read More: Supreme Court Suspends PHC Order Granting Blanket Bail to PTI Leaders