In a groundbreaking development, Pakistan’s Supreme Court has commenced live streaming of court proceedings for the first time in the nation’s history, marking the inaugural day of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s tenure.
Justice Isa, aged 63, took the oath as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Sunday, succeeding Justice Umar Ata Bandial, whose retirement paved the way for this historic transition.
Justice Isa’s leadership at the helm will span an eventful 13 months, culminating on October 25, 2024.
Departing from established conventions, Chief Justice Isa launched the epochal era with the live streaming of a series of petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act of 2023. This act mandates the establishment of benches to address constitutional matters of public significance through the collaboration of a committee comprising three senior judges of the court.
Notably, the prior government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), enacted this legislation in April of this year, seeking to recalibrate the authority of the then Chief Justice Bandial, specifically concerning suo motu actions, by limiting his powers in forming panels of judges.
Justice Bandial had previously suspended the operation of this law until its final adjudication. On his inaugural day as Chief Justice, Justice Isa convened a full-court bench to initiate proceedings on this critical matter.
The legislation, in its essence, stipulates that a three-member bench, comprising the CJP and the two most senior judges of the apex court, will determine the propriety of taking up a suo motu case. This marks a departure from the prior practice, where this prerogative solely rested with the CJP.
Furthermore, the legislation extends the Supreme Court’s review jurisdiction, permitting appeals to be filed within 30 days of the judgment in suo motu cases.
This legislation holds the potential to enable former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to file an appeal regarding his disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017, should it be upheld.
In a separate departure from established customs, Chief Justice Isa declined to receive a guard of honor upon his arrival at the Supreme Court for his first day as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
This transformative era in Pakistan’s legal landscape under Chief Justice Isa heralds an era of transparency and accountability, as court proceedings are broadcasted for public scrutiny, redefining the nation’s judicial discourse.
By PTI
