In a recent development, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday criticized the President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, for returning the Supreme Court Bill that was passed by the Parliament.
In a tweet, Sharif expressed his disappointment and said that the President’s actions have belittled the august office of the President.
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“President Alvi returning the Supreme Court Bill duly passed by Parliament is most unfortunate. Through his conduct, he has belittled the august Office by acting as a worker of the PTI, one who is beholden to Imran Niazi more than the Constitution & demands of his Office,” according to the Tweet.
The Supreme Court Bill was passed by the Parliament. However, President Alvi returned the bill to the Parliament, citing reservations and concerns over the legislation’s impact on the judiciary.
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The Prime Minister’s criticism of the President’s actions reflects the ongoing political tensions in Pakistan between the ruling party and the opposition.
Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi has returned the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 for reconsideration to the Parliament as per the provisions of Article 75 of the Constitution.
The president observed that the Bill ‘prima-facie travels beyond the competence of the Parliament and can be assailed as a colorable legislation’.
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He said that he thought it fit and proper to return the bill, in accordance with the Constitution, with the request for reconsideration in order to meet the scrutiny about its validity (if assailed in the Court of Law), President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
The president said that after an in-depth consideration of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, “to provide for the practice and procedure of the Supreme Court of Pakistan”, the following aspects required due consideration: –
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Article 191 of the Constitution empowered the Supreme Court ‘to make rules regulating the practice and procedure of the Court’.
Under such enabling provisions of the Constitution, the Supreme Court Rules 1980 had been made and in force duly validated and adopted by the Constitution itself.
“These time-tested Rules are being followed ever since the year 1980 – any tinkering with the same may tantamount to interference with the internal working of the Court, its autonomy and independence,” it was added.
