Practice and Procedure Ordinance 2024: Justice Muneeb is Replaced by Justice Amin In Judges Committee

Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan has replaced Justice Muneeb Akhtar in the three-member judges committee.

According to an office order issued by the Supreme Court's registrar, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has nominated Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, who ranks fifth in seniority, to the three-member judges committee.

The order states that the committee will now consist of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan.

Previously, Justice Muneeb Akhtar was part of the committee but has now been replaced by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan.

It's worth noting that Justice Muneeb Akhtar was part of the majority bench in the Supreme Court that, in July, declared PTI eligible for reserved seats for women and non-Muslims in the National and Provincial Assemblies. On the other hand, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan was among the judges who rejected the appeals of Sunni Ittehad Council regarding reserved seats, declaring them ineligible.

It is pertinent to mention that earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet approved the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance 2024, which was subsequently signed by President Asif Zardari.

The Ministry of Law had sent the ordinance to the Prime Minister and the cabinet yesterday, and with this ordinance, the Chief Justice’s authority to allocate cases in the Supreme Court has been expanded.

According to the ordinance, a committee comprising the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court, and a judge nominated by the Chief Justice will now assign cases. Previously, a three-member bench consisting of the Chief Justice and the two most senior judges allocated cases.

The ordinance also states that the bench will review cases considering public importance and fundamental human rights, and each case will be heard in turn unless a reason is provided.

As per the amended ordinance, every case and appeal will be recorded, and transcripts will be prepared. All recordings and transcripts will be made available to the public.