Interpretation of Article-63A: Justice Munib absent, hearing on review appeals adjourned

Islamabad: The hearing on the review appeals on the decision to interpret Article-63A of the Constitution was postponed due to Justice Munib Akhtar's non-appearance in the court on Monday.

When the hearing on the review appeals on the interpretation of Article-63A started in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Aminuddin, Justice Jamal Mandukhel and Justice Mazhar Alam came to the courtroom, but Justice Munib Akhtar did not.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa called the Attorney General to the rostrum and remarked that a larger bench was constituted today regarding the case, the decision of the case was delivered by a five-member bench in the past.

Justice Munib Akhtar wrote a letter to the Registrar Supreme Court, which was read by CJP Qazi during the hearing.

Chief Justice remarked: “The law requires the same bench to hear the review appeal. I replaced the former Chief Justice, Justice Aminuddin was included in place of Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, we will request Justice Munib Akhtar to sit in the bench”.

The CJP requested Justice Munib to join the bench and said that he will try to bring him back to the bench otherwise the bench would be reconstituted.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa hoped that Justice Muneeb Akhtar will join the bench again. Whether he joins the bench or not, in both cases the case will be heard tomorrow.

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on the review appeals on the decision of interpretation of Article 63-A till 11:30am tomorrow.