CJP Stresses the Importance of Accountability Within Every Institution

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa emphasized the importance of self-accountability within every institution during a hearing on Tuesday. The top court resumed proceedings to examine petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act 2023.

MQM-P Counsel Concludes Arguments:

The hearing adjourned until the following day after Faisal Siddiqi, representing the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), completed arguments favoring the law. The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) are scheduled to present their arguments during the upcoming hearing.

Parliament’s Role and Transparency in Focus:

Previous hearings have raised questions about parliament’s competence to regulate the administrative functions of the Supreme Court (SC) and the transparency of the judiciary’s operations. The Act in question, passed by parliament in April 2023, regulates the discretionary powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) by mandating the formation of a committee, including three senior judges of the apex court, to establish benches for constitutional matters of public significance and to initiate Suo motu proceedings.

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Challenges to the Act:

A full court presided over by CJP Qazi Faez Isa, including several other justices, is reviewing nine petitions against the 2023 Act. Petitioners argue that the law seeks to limit the powers of the CJP and open the door for parliamentary interference in the internal operations of the apex court.


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The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the complex interplay between the judiciary and parliament in regulating the Supreme Court’s functioning. As the debate unfolds, the need for a delicate balance between institutional autonomy and transparency in governance remains a critical consideration for Pakistan’s legal and political landscape.