In Islamabad, legal experts weighed in on the recent Supreme Court decisionto uphold the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act of 2023, whichdismissed a set of petitions.
They expressed the view that this ruling may not be favorable for formerPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party founder JahangirTareen. Both individuals are facing potential lifetime disqualificationunder Article 62(1)(f) of the constitution.
Raja Amir Abbas, a legal expert, emphasized the importance of the court’sdecision, particularly because legal bodies had been advocating for theright to appeal. He noted that the decision, as rendered by the full court,would not retroactively benefit Nawaz Sharif.
Echoing similar sentiments, another legal expert, Irfan Qadir, mentionedthat Nawaz Sharif could choose to seek a review within a 30-day period,clarifying that the review process would be heard by the full court and notbe excessively prolonged.
Iman Yousafzai, another legal expert, stated that, according to thecourt’s decision, Nawaz Sharif would not have the opportunity to file anappeal, and it is the common citizen who has been granted the right toappeal and review under the Supreme Court’s verdict.
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The Supreme Court, with a 10-5 majority, rejected the pleas against theSupreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023. Chief Justice of PakistanQazi Faez Isa announced the verdict, which was streamed live on state TV.
The verdict encompassed various declarations regarding theconstitutionality of different sections of the Act. The full bench of theSupreme Court, led by CJP Isa, had reserved the verdict earlier afterconducting multiple hearings.