ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticised President Arif Alvi forrejecting the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, andaccused him of being a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter.
The bill aims to limit the powers of the chief justice, which includes theability to initiate legal proceedings and form benches. The PTI hasexpressed opposition to the legislation, calling it an attack on thejudiciary.
In response, the prime minister tweeted that President Alvi’s actionsbelittle the office and that he follows the orders of PTI Chairman ImranKhan instead of fulfilling his constitutional duties. The bill was approvedby both houses of parliament last month but was rejected by President Alvi,who claimed that it exceeded parliament’s authority and could be challengedin court.
As a result, the government is expected to pass the bill through a jointsession of parliament.
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Alvi, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), has returned thecontroversial Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, using hispowers under Article 75(1) of the Constitution.
A handout issued by Presidency said Dr. Alvi returned the bill forreconsideration to the parliament, maintaining that the bill travels beyondthe competence of the parliament and can be assailed as colourablelegislation.