The federal cabinet of Pakistan has supported senior Supreme Court Judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa over Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, leading to the removal of Supreme Court registrar Ishrat Ali. The decision followed a dispute between CJP Bandial and Justice Isa, in which Ali reportedly disregarded one of Justice Isa’s orders.
The conflict between the federal government and CJP Bandial has intensified as the CJP continues to hear PTI’s plea against the election delay in Punjab, despite the ruling coalition’s objections. This has resulted in the coalition parties expressing no confidence in the CJP and the other two judges involved in the case.
Seizing the opportunity presented by the rift between CJP Bandial and other apex court judges, the federal cabinet held a special meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting’s primary agenda was to address the Supreme Court registrar’s removal, as Justice Isa requested.
As a result, the cabinet decided to withdraw the services of the SC registrar, directing him to report to the Establishment Division. This move attempts to embarrass the CJP and signal that the situation has reached a breaking point.
The registrar’s removal occurred just hours before a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of CJP Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar, was scheduled to announce its judgment in the Punjab election delay case.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the government has been pushing for elections to be held after the completion of its constitutional term in August this year. The government has also strongly advocated against the current three-member bench hearing the case, calling for a full court to address the legal and constitutional issues at stake.
Despite the political turmoil, the CJP has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections within 90 days or as close to that date as possible, aligning with PTI’s demands.
The registrar has seemingly been caught in the crossfire between influential factions. After Justice Isa requested the Establishment Division to relieve Ali of his duties for disobeying a judicial order, the federal cabinet quickly took action.
In the meantime, the cabinet has requested President Dr. Arif Alvi to sign The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, to resolve the ongoing constitutional and political crisis. The bill, which the National Assembly and the Senate have already passed, seeks to limit the powers of the CJP to initiate suo motu proceedings and form benches independently. However, the president has yet to sign the bill, preventing it from becoming law.
