ISLAMABAD (TDI): Today, both houses of Pakistan’s bicameral parliament will convene separately to discuss several bills, including amendments to the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1999.
The National Assembly, the lower house, is scheduled to meet at 4 PM, while the Senate session will start at 6 PM.
Yesterday, the National Assembly Secretariat outlined a seven-point agenda for the session, which includes the presentation of The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance 2024 and two call attention notices.
In light of the recent approval of the 26th constitutional amendment, the federal government is moving forward with amendments to the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act.
The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance 2024 was introduced in the Senate on November 1, where Acting Chairman Syedaal Khan referred it to the relevant standing committee for review. Federal Law Minister Nazir Tarar tabled the bill.
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This ordinance proposes a sub-clause to Section 2 of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, establishing a committee that will include the Senior Puisne Judge, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, and one judge nominated by the Chief Justice.
Additionally, a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 25 has also been presented in the Senate and has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, chaired by Senator Farooq H. Naek of the Pakistan Peoples Party. The committee approved the bill on the same day.
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Members of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) are expected to introduce the amendment bill during Private Member’s Day.
Local media reports suggest that members of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), PML-N, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have been directed to ensure their attendance at the session.
