ISLAMABAD: The Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance 2024 has been challenged in the Supreme Court (SC).

A petition has been filed by Akmal Khan in the SC, contesting the constitutionality of the Practice and Procedure Ordinance 2024 and seeking to have its notification, issued on September 20, declared unconstitutional and unlawful.

This ordinance, introduced by the President on September 19, 2024, amends the Practice and Procedure Act, originally passed by Parliament on April 20, 2023. The Act grants the right to appeal rulings on constitutional petitions.

The petitioner argues that the ordinance violates Articles 2, 4, 9, and 10 of the Constitution, raising questions about executive authority and the protection of constitutional rights in Pakistan.

It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court Act 2023 has recently been revised via a presidential ordinance.

Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, stated that the ordinance’s implementation would enhance transparency in the judicial system. He explained that the ordinance, amending the Practice and Procedures Act, was promulgated by the President following approval from the federal cabinet.

According to him, the court will now handle cases in the order they are received, with the first case to be addressed first and subsequent cases to follow accordingly.

Tarar further explained that a committee, established under the Practice and Procedure Act, is chaired by the Chief Justice of the SC, with the puisne judge and a third senior judge as members. The Chief Justice has the authority to nominate one of the SC judges as a member of this committee as needed. Tarar added that delays in cases were previously caused by the absence of the third committee member in Islamabad.