The Supreme Court in Pakistan has expanded its constitutional bench by adding another five judges, bringing the total number of judges on the bench to 13.
This step follows the approval of the inclusion of five new judges that increase the capacity of the bench to deal with complex constitutional affairs, Express News reported.
The newly appointed judges include Justice Hashim Kakar, Justice Amir Farooq, Justice Shakil Ahmad, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Salahuddin Panhwar. This extension is expected to improve the court’s ability to tackle pressing constitutional issues more effectively.
Previously, the Legal Commission for Pakistan (JCP) had appointed Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan as the leader of the constitutional bench in the Supreme Court.
JCP, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, constituted the constitutional bench in a 7-5 split decision in which most of the members voted for its formation, Express News reported.
The constitutional bench is formed for a period of 60 days, according to sources. The bench is led by Justice Amin-out-Din Khan with Justices Ayesha Malik, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, At Har Minallah, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali and Jamal Khan Mandokhail also included as members
Justice Ayesha Malik will represent Punjab, while Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail will represent Balochistan, says Express News Sources.
The meeting attended by senior Puisne Judge Justice Shah, Justice Akhtar, Justice Amin-out-Din Khan, Senator Farooq H. Naek, MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, MNA Omar Ayub, Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, Law Minister Azam Nazer Tarar, Senator Shibli Faraz, Right Bharuistan Manan, share, duck and other duck, share, duck and the proportion of Awan, Anchan, Anchan, Anchan, Anchan, Anchan, Anchan, Andam, Andam, Andam, Andam, Andad by Pakistan Bar Council representative Akhtar Hussain.
Constitutional benches are established by the Supreme Court through a change in Article 191-A. “There must be a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, which may constitute an equal number of judges from each province,” the changed article states.
These benches will hear original, appeal and advisory jurisdiction before the supreme court.
According to the 26th constitutional amendment, the judicial commission consists of 13 members. The Commission is responsible for providing appointments to the Supreme Court, high courts and Federal Shariat Court (FSC).
On October 21, the controversial 26th constitutional amendment sailed through parliament after the reigning coalition succeeded in bringing together two -thirds of legislators’ support.
The changes changed the procedure for the selection of Chief Justice of Pakistan, while also paving the way for the formation of constitutional benches in the Supreme Court.