Big & Alert News From Supreme Court | SJR WEB
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recently been at the center of significant developments affecting the country's legal and political landscape. Judicial Appointments and Constitutional Amendments In October 2024, the Pakistani parliament passed amendments to the constitution, granting itself the authority to nominate the Supreme Court's Chief Justice. This move was criticized by opposition parties as an attempt to undermine judicial independence. Subsequently, a parliamentary panel recommended Yahya Afridi, who was third on the seniority list, for the position, bypassing the senior-most judges, Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar. This decision has intensified political debates and concerns regarding the impartiality of the judiciary. Military Courts and Civilian Trials In December 2024, military courts sentenced 25 individuals to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their involvement in attacks on military installations in 2023. This development has raised concerns about the increasing role of military courts in trying civilians, especially in cases linked to political figures like former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Reuters Legal Challenges to Government Actions The Supreme Court has also been involved in scrutinizing government actions. In a landmark decision in October 2023, the court struck down ongoing trials by military courts for civilians, declaring them unconstitutional. However, this ruling was later suspended in December 2023, allowing military trials of civilians to continue. WSJ Wikipedia Recent Verdicts and Legal Reforms The court has been active in addressing various legal matters, including the NAB amendments case, which challenges changes to the National Accountability Bureau laws. As of June 2024, the Supreme Court reserved its judgment on this case, which has significant implications for accountability processes in the country. Wikipedia These developments underscore the dynamic and often contentious nature of Pakistan's legal and political systems, highlighting the Supreme Court's pivotal role in shaping the nation's governance and rule of law.
