ISLAMABAD: Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has challenged the 26th constitutional amendment in Supreme Court (SC) taking the plea the said amendment is unconstitutional, illegal and impracticable . The petition said important characteristics and basic values of the constitution stand eliminated due to 26th constitutional amendment. This amendment has undermined the independence of judiciary. Basic rights and distribution of powers have also been affected. It has been said in the petition that 26th amendment is a bid to change, abrogate or eliminate basic characteristics of the constitution. This amendment is illegal and impracticable under article 239 of the constitution. The petitioner has requested the court to declare 26th amendment unconstitutional. Its sections 7, 10,14, 17, 21 and 27 be declared unconstitutional too. It was further said in the petition that the amendment was approved illegally and in wrong way. All the decisions, notifications and appointments made under 26th constitutional amendment be declared null and void. Independent probe be got conducted into the process of ascertaining votes in favor of 26th constitutional amendment. The coercive tactics and illegal ways adopted in connection with passage of this amendment be also got investigated. The petitioner prayed the court further to declare SC (Practice and Procedure) amendment act-2024 and SC ( number of judges) amendment act-2024 unconstitutional. APP
JC seeks nominations of 38 additional judges in all five high courts
ISLAMABAD: Judicial Commission (JC) has sought nominations of 38 additional judges in all five high courts in the country. These nominations have been sought under new rules which have been approved by JC. Nominations of 12 additional judges for Sindh High Court (SHC) have been called. Nominations of 4 additional judges in Islamabad High Court, 10 additional judges for Lahore High Court, 9 additional judges for Peshawar high court and 3 additional judges for Balochistan High Court have been sought. APP
Justice Naimatullah Phulapoto takes oath as acting SHC CJ
KARACHI: The oath taking ceremony of acting Chief Justice of Sindh High court justice Naimatullah Phulapoto was held at Governor House in Karachi on Tuesday. Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori administered the oath. Online
Proceedings of new ET IBD adjourned due to stay order
ISLAMABAD: Proceedings of new Election Tribunal (ET) in respect of 3 constituencies of Islamabad has been adjourned for indefinite period due to stay order issued by Islamabad High Court (IHC). New Islamabad ET had started working from December 18 after five months and issued notices to the respondents. The proceedings of Islamabad ET was deferred for indefinite period due to stay order by IHC. ET had issued notice to the respondents for December 24. Hearing was to take place on December 24. Ali Bukhari and other presented in new ET , copy of stay order issued by IHC. Justice Tariq Jahangiri had held last hearing of ET in July . Justice (Retd) Shakoor Paracha had started proceedings from December 18 as new ET. 3 Candidates of PTI including Ali Bukhari, Aamir Mughal and Shoaib Shaheen have obtained stay order from court.
PAC meeting postponed due to GOVT-PTI talks
ISLAMABAD: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting to be held on December 26 has been postponed. According to National Assembly (NA) sources the meeting was deferred due to talks between government and opposition. Government will not elect interim chairman of PAC to keep the environment of talks pleasant. PTI has sought chairmanship of PAC. In the event the talks become successful, the chairmanship of PAC will be given to PAC. Online
Another accused in GHQ attack case indicted
RAWALPINDI: Judge Amjid Ali Shah of Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi has indicted another accused in GHQ attack case. Former MNA Bilal Ahmad who is nominated in case was indicted through his pleader during hearing of the case Tuesday. This way 117 out of 119 accused have been indicted in the case so far. The court has summoned the remaining two accusedThe court rejected the petition of Maj (Retd) Latasab Satti for permission to perform Umrah due to incomplete documents. The court rejected the pleas from PTI founder, former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry and opposition leader Umar Ayoub for providing record to them related to evidence and footage of the case after hearing the arguments of the respondents. The court adjourned till January 6 hearing of bail before arrest plea of Umar Ayoub in 3 cases. Bail before arrest plea filed by Dr Awan counsel for Umar Ayoub in 3 cases registered against PTI leader in Hassan Abdal could not be heard due to non availability of Umar Ayoub. Online
