Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressed concerns over frequent challenges to parliament’s legislative capabilities. He highlighted the contrast in reactions, where laws passed by parliament are nit-picked, but when martial laws are imposed, there’s total submission.
The Chief Justice cited historical instances where the court had handed over absolute power to individuals, referencing significant cases like the 2000 Zafar Ali Shah case.
Judicial Functioning and Parliament’s Role
During a full court hearing concerning petitions against the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, Justice Isa emphasized the importance of respecting parliament. He hinted at the potential benefit of revisiting past decisions that bestowed undue powers upon individuals, leading to national repercussions. Different justices shared their perspectives on the matter, with some highlighting the Supreme Court’s past rulings and others emphasizing the Constitution’s provisions regarding legislative practices.
The discussions revolved around balancing the judiciary’s autonomy and parliamentary oversight.
