ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Monday passed the 24th Constitutional Amendment Bill with majority votes.
The amendments envisages giving right of appeal against the decision of Supreme Court given under suo-moto jurisdiction.
In the Standing Committee’s meeting, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami opposed the Bill.
PPP’s MNA Naveed Qamar said that the right of appeal should be provided in suo-moto cases, but during the Panamagate hearing such amendment would lead to suspicions. He added that before the decision of Panamagate case, they (PPP) cannot support the amendment.
PTI Arif Alvi supported the very objective of the Bill, but like Naveed Qamar he also questioned the timing of the amendment. He said that at this point of time the Bill would send wrong message to the masses. JI MNA Aisha Saeeda also raised question over the timing of the Bill and opposed it.
MQM MNA S. Iqbal Qadri said that appeal against SC’s decision in suo-moto cases should be filed within seven days instead of 30 days the Bill envisaged. He added that the decision should be made on such appeal within 60 days.
Secretary Law Karamat Niazi told the committee that as per the proposed amendment, appeal against SC decision in suo-moto cases can be filed within 30 days and larger bench of the apex court would hear the appeal.
Later, the committee passed the Bill with majority vote.
