As the Supreme Court resumed hearings on the petitions contesting the law restricting the CJP's authority, he made the remarks.
The case was heard by an eight-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, which included Justices Ijaz ul Ahsan, Munib Akhtar, Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha A. Malik, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Shahid Waheed. The bench was presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial.
During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan mentioned that certain parties in the case would like to address the bench via video link. Upon this CJP Bandial responded that the bench would hear everyone.
The senior judge noted that the case is "one of a kind" and has brought up significant issues, such as the independence of the court.
"Our order of stay from the prior hearing is in effect." "The law pertaining to Supreme Court regulations is very clear," according to CJP Bandial.
He also instructed everyone involved in the case to submit written arguments.
CJP Bandial added that the court system has "reservations" regarding the bill.
The chief justice stated that "democracy is an important part of the Constitution, along with an independent judiciary and the federation," and he questioned if the judiciary's component could be amended. The CJP emphasized that the judiciary's independence is a "fundamental right".
Meanwhile, PTI lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim said the judicial reform bill is now part of the legislation.
The court requested a copy of the record of the Parliament's standing committee on judicial reforms' debate on this issue.
Senior judges were sought to be added to the bench by the chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council's (PBC) Executive Committee. The PBC reported that the court requested a copy of the record of the Parliament's standing committee on judicial reforms debate on this issue.
Senior judges were sought to be added to the bench by the chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council's (PBC) Executive Committee. The PBC reported that more than six references have been filed against Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi.
The court, however, denied the PBC's plea for the creation of a full court and the exclusion of Justice Naqvi.