Justice Mansoor questions altered cause list in violation of SC’s orders

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was supposed to preside over the hearing of ‘powers of Supreme Court benches’ case. However, today Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik were informed that the cause list for this week did not include this case.

The petitioner’s counsel Barrister Salahuddin appeared before the Supreme Court and pled “I came from Karachi only for this case, the cause list was not issued”. The court had ordered to fix the case for today, Barrister Salahuddin informed the court.

Justice Mansoor immediately summoned the Additional Registrar and sought a response. “We were not told anything in this regard,” Justice Mansoor told the petitioner’s counsel.

In response to Justice Mansoor’s order, Deputy Registrar Zulfiqar Ahmed appeared in the Supreme Court. He informed that the Additional Registrar is unwell and is on leave.

Justice Mansoor asked that why was the case that was ordered to be fixed has not been taken up. The deputy registrar responded that the judges’ committee has decided that the case related to the amendment will be heard in the constitutional bench on January 27.

Justice Mansoor remarked, “I myself am a member of the committee, I have no knowledge of any such decision.” Justice Ayesha Malik added, “How can the administrative committee ignore the judicial order?” Justice Aqeel Abbasi inquired, “Was the court order placed before the committee?”

Deputy Registrar Zulfiqar Ahmed responded that the court order was presented to the committee.

Justice Ayesha asked about the scheduled tax cases and inquired the reasons behind the cause list being changed for the entire week.

Afterwards, the Supreme Court bench sought the details of the order passed by the judges’ committee along with the minutes of the meeting. Justice Ayesha Malik added, “Why was the cause list changed? If there is any written instruction, please submit it.”

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