- As the Supreme Court review law was informed, Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen may profit.
LAHORE: The Supreme Court Review of Judgments and Orders Bill 2023 has recently been enacted, as confirmed by a gazette notification. President Arif Alvi gave his approval to this new law on Friday, signifying its official implementation.
In Supreme court one of the key provisions of the law is the introduction of the right to file an appeal against court decisions in cases falling under Article 184(3) of the constitution. What makes this significant is that the law is also retroactive, meaning it applies to past verdicts as well.
Legal experts have pointed out that this development opens the door for PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen, among others, to exercise their right of appeal against their lifetime disqualifications within a specified timeframe of 60 days. This extension of appeal rights under the law is seen as a significant step toward ensuring equal treatment for all individuals involved.
Kamran Murtaza, a legal expert, has emphasized that the law aims to provide equal benefits to everyone. He highlights that even if the appeal deadline has passed, an individual can argue that if person A is granted the benefit today, the same should apply to them based on the principle of non-discrimination and the violation of Article 25 of the constitution.
Furthermore, the law stipulates that appeals will be heard by a bench consisting of a greater number of judges than the original adjudicating bench. This provision ensures a broader perspective and potentially allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the cases under Article 184(3).
Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, has submitted a copy of the law and its notification to the Supreme Court. This move initiates the process of hearing appeals in cases falling under Article 184(3) and sets the stage for potential legal review and reconsideration.
During a recent hearing, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan informed the Chief Justice of Pakistan that the president had assented to the review of judgments bill, thereby transforming it into a law. He further emphasized that, according to the law, a review petition can only be heard by a larger bench, expressing objections to the three-judge panel currently hearing the case.
The Attorney General’s comments were made during the hearing of a plea by the Election Commission of Pakistan, which requested the Supreme Court to revisit its earlier order of holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14. The case was being heard by a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and consisting of Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar.
With the implementation of the Supreme Court Review of Judgments and Orders Bill 2023, a significant change has taken place in the legal landscape of Pakistan. The availability of an appeal mechanism and the requirement for a larger bench to review judgments pave the way for potential revisions and reevaluations of past decisions. This development aims to uphold the principles of fairness, equality, and justice in the country’s legal system.
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