Senate Proposes Key Changes in Judiciary with SC Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance 2024

The Senate has introduced the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance 2024, marking significant efforts to reform judicial procedures in Pakistan. The ordinance, which has been forwarded to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice for further consideration, seeks to bring enhanced transparency and efficiency to court processes.

Among the major amendments, the ordinance mandates that public interest reasons must be clearly provided prior to any case hearing, aiming to ensure cases with broader implications are given priority. It also adds a provision to Section-II of the Practice and Procedure Act, which now requires committees handling these cases to include one senior judge and one judge nominated by the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Further, the ordinance has introduced Sections 7A and 7B, stipulating that cases will be heard based on their filing order, a move to address backlogs. Complete documentation of all cases and appeals will now be required, strengthening procedural accountability.

Political tensions also flared in the Senate when, during Diwali celebrations, Dinesh Kumar, a minority senator, praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz as a leader, leading to a clash with Senator Humayun Mohmand, who advised her to align with government benches. This exchange reflects the shifting dynamics within the assembly. Additionally, Senator Talal Chaudhry criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for receiving detained employees with flowers, drawing attention to political divides.

Another topic that stirred debate was a proposed bill that would mandate a graduation qualification for assembly members. The bill, historically linked to former President Pervez Musharraf’s policies to keep certain political figures, including Benazir Bhutto, out of Parliament, has been deferred for further deliberation due to the absence of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri.