ISLAMABAD: In an apparent act of ‘defiance’, the National Assembly on Friday notified the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023 as an act, curtailing the powers of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP).
Earlier, eight-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by CJP Umar Ata Bandial halted the implementation on the bill. However, it was notified as a law today because it was deemed to have been assented to by the president (with effect from April 21, 2023) under Clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
President Dr Arif Alvi returned the bill back to Parliament as soon as it was passed by both houses of Parliament. However, it was made an act today as it was passed by the joint session of the parliament after the president’s refusal.
The second time president did not give assent to the bill but as per the Constitution, a bill turns into an act within 10 days if it has been passed by a joint session of parliament.
The National Assembly of Pakistan shared the bill’s copy on its Twitter handle.
