In an unprecedented move in the history of Pakistan, the Supreme Court initiated live streaming of case hearings on the first day of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa's tenure, marking a significant departure from tradition.
On Sunday, Justice Isa, aged 63, was sworn in as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), succeeding Justice Umar Ata Bandial, whose retirement prompted this transition.
Justice Isa's term is set to span 13 months, concluding on October 25, 2024.
In a break from past practices, Justice Isa launched live streaming with a series of cases challenging the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act of 2023. This legislation mandates the constitution of benches for constitutional matters of public significance by a committee of three senior judges of the court.
The previous coalition government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), passed this law in April this year, attempting to reduce the authority of the former Chief Justice Bandial concerning suo motu cases, by limiting his powers in forming panels of judges.
Justice Bandial had suspended the law's enforcement until its final adjudication, and on his first day as Chief Justice, Justice Isa established a full court bench and initiated proceedings.
According to this law, a three-member bench, comprising the CJP and the two most senior judges of the Supreme Court, will determine whether to take up a suo motu matter. Previously, this was solely within the Chief Justice's purview.
Furthermore, the law expands the Supreme Court's review jurisdiction, allowing the filing of an appeal within 30 days of a judgment in suo motu cases.
Notably, if upheld, this law would enable former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to appeal his disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017.
In a separate move, Chief Justice Isa declined to receive a guard of honour upon his arrival at the Supreme Court for his first day, deviating from previous customs.
Â
