Judges’ committee one-man show, says Justice Mansoor Ali Shah

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court puisne judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has written a letter to the of the Supreme Court Secretary committee, expressing his reservations about the formation of the new three-member committee after the promulgation of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance, which deals with the affairs of the apex court including the formation of benches.

 In the letter, Justice Mansoor criticized the reconstitution of the Practice and Procedure Committee just hours after the Ordinance was promulgated, stating that such actions should have been carried out through a full court decision.

The letter said that Justice Munib Akhtar was removed from the former committee without any clarification. “The reasons for his removal were also not provided. By including a member of their choice in the committee, decisions were made according to personal preference, which is an undemocratic attitude and a one-man show,” the letter said.

In the letter, he said that concentrating administrative matters in the hands of the chief justice is undemocratic and goes against the principle of judicial transparency.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah laid down three conditions for his return to the committee. He stated that he would not rejoin the committee unless the full court reviews the constitutionality of the ordinance or until the full court agrees to implement the amendments through the ordinance.

Alternatively, he will return only if the chief justice restores the previous committee and reinstates Justice Munib Akhtar.

The letter also called for the formation of a full court bench of the Supreme Court or the convening of a full court session to review the ordinance.

It should be noted that a judges’ committee meeting was held on Monday but Justice Mansoor Ali Shah left the court premises without attending it.