The CB bench exchanges light remarks amid speculation over the location of the Constitutional Court
ISLAMABAD:
Even before the approval of the 27th constitutional amendment, speculation has begun as to where the Federal Constitutional Court – proposed to be formed under the amendment package – will be established.
Members of a five-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Friday made comments and exchanged interesting remarks regarding the proposed amendment that the ruling PML-N will soon introduce in Parliament – without ever mentioning it.
The CB headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan was hearing a case related to the Civil Service Rules.
During the hearing, when Judge Khan asked if the case would be concluded today, lawyer Faisal Siddiqi requested that it be decided today because he did not want to argue it in the Federal Sharia Court building where the new court is speculated to be set up.
“If you had to take a building, why choose the Federal Sharia Court?” he asked – a remark that brought smiles to the judges’ faces.
Siddiqi further suggested that if they were to take a building after the formation of the Federal Constitutional Court, they could have taken the one next door.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail – apparently referring to the PPP’s refusal to support the amendment – noted that there had been some progress overnight in the lawyer’s favour.
The lawyer noted that he had a firm belief that nothing could harm the Supreme Court. Justice Mandokhail replied that if he had such a belief, then there was nothing to worry about.
Siddiqi further noted that the judges looked quite large in the courtroom. Justice Mandokhail observed that alteration of the building will not reduce our powers. The hearing was later adjourned.
