Hearing on petitions against Practice and Procedure Act underway

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan Tuesday started hearing on the petitions against the Practice and Procedure Act.

According to details, the full court is hearing the case under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.

The full court bench is presiding by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Syed Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Athar Minullah, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed and Justice Musrat Hilali are also included in the full court.

It is pertinent to note that in yesterday’s hearing, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that Parliament has enacted legislation with good intentions. If a patient is dying, can a person who has medical understanding allow the patient to die just because he is not a doctor?

The Chief Justice said that the Parliament is told that the number game should be complete but one person comes and rubber stamps the Parliament.

During the hearing, lawyer Faisal Siddiqui said that the word 'law' in Article 191 means that it is giving some kind of legal authority. There is a separate section for the definition of words in the Supreme Court Rules.

The Chief Justice said that you should not answer every question, Mr. Siddiqui. You should only focus on your arguments, the case is being heard for four hearings and many cases are pending, I request my fellow judges to hold back your questions. Everyone in the bench wants to ask questions, but let the lawyer's argument be completed. Despite four hearings, it is our performance that one case is not completed. If you answer every question, your arguments will not be completed. Leaving all other cases, this case is being heard.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar said that you are trying to say that the definition of law is mentioned in the Supreme Court Rules, just tell what the meaning of law is in Article 191.

On Justice Muneeb's question, the Chief Justice said that if you have already made up your mind, then you will write it in the decision. The lawyer will give the arguments whatever he wishes to. On this, Justice Munib stated that being a part of the bench, I have the right to ask questions. Yes, the Chief Justice replied that of course you can ask questions, but first the lawyer should complete his arguments.

The Chief Justice continued that if Faisal Siddiqui does not complete his arguments, then we will always hear the same case, therefore you should complete your arguments first.

On this, Justice Muneeb said that I am a part of this bench and it is my privilege to ask questions. What is the point of sitting in the bench if I am prevented from asking questions?