Supreme Court of Pakistan

Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Supreme Court of Pakistan is the highest court in Pakistan, with the power to interpret the Constitution of Pakistan and laws of the country, as well as to decide on the constitutionality of parliamentary and provincial assembly legislation. The court is composed of judges who are appointed by the President of Pakistan on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Chief Justice of Pakistan, in consultation with the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan. The court has the power to review the decisions of the High Courts of Pakistan, including the Lahore High Court, Sindh High Court, Peshawar High Court, and Balochistan High Court.

● Introduction

The Supreme Court of Pakistan is a key institution in the judicial system of Pakistan, with the power to ensure that the Constitution of Pakistan is upheld and that the rights of citizens are protected. The court has a long history, dating back to the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, and has played a significant role in shaping the country's legal system, including the Objectives Resolution and the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973. The court is headquartered in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and has a number of registrar offices and branch registries located throughout the country, including in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. The court is also supported by the Federal Judicial Academy, which provides training and education to judges and lawyers.

● History

The Supreme Court of Pakistan was established on August 14, 1947, with the inauguration of Pakistan as an independent country, and was initially composed of judges who were appointed by the Governor-General of Pakistan, including Sir Abdul Rashid and Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan. The court's first chief justice was Sir Abdul Rashid, who played a key role in establishing the court and developing its jurisprudence, including the State v. Dosso case. Over the years, the court has undergone a number of changes, including the introduction of a new Constitution of Pakistan in 1973, which established the court as the highest court in the land, with the power to interpret the Constitution and laws of Pakistan, as well as to decide on the constitutionality of legislation passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan and the provincial assemblies. The court has also been influenced by the decisions of other courts, including the Federal Court of Pakistan and the High Courts of Pakistan.

● Composition

The Supreme Court of Pakistan is composed of a chief justice and a number of other judges, who are appointed by the President of Pakistan on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Chief Justice of Pakistan, in consultation with the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan. The court currently has a total of 17 judges, including the chief justice, who is Umar Ata Bandial, and other notable judges such as Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar. The court also has a number of registrar offices and branch registries located throughout the country, which are responsible for handling the court's administrative and judicial work, including the Lahore Registry and the Karachi Registry.

● Jurisdiction

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has a wide range of jurisdiction, including the power to interpret the Constitution of Pakistan and laws of the country, as well as to decide on the constitutionality of legislation passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan and the provincial assemblies. The court also has the power to review the decisions of the High Courts of Pakistan, including the Lahore High Court, Sindh High Court, Peshawar High Court, and Balochistan High Court, and to decide on appeals from these courts. In addition, the court has the power to issue writs, including habeas corpus and mandamus, and to decide on petitions for review and revision, including the Asma Jahangir case.

● Notable Cases

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided a number of notable cases over the years, including the State v. Dosso case, which established the court's power to review the decisions of the High Courts of Pakistan, and the Asma Jahangir case, which dealt with the issue of human rights in Pakistan. Other notable cases include the Nawaz Sharif case, which dealt with the issue of corruption and money laundering, and the Pervez Musharraf case, which dealt with the issue of treason and sedition. The court has also decided a number of cases related to the rights of women and minorities in Pakistan, including the Shahida Parveen case and the Salmaan Taseer case.

● Criticism and Controversies

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has faced a number of criticisms and controversies over the years, including allegations of judicial activism and politicization. Some have argued that the court has overstepped its jurisdiction and has interfered in the executive and legislative branches of government, including the National Assembly of Pakistan and the provincial assemblies. Others have argued that the court has not done enough to protect the rights of citizens, particularly in cases involving human rights and corruption, including the Missing Persons case and the Karachi Law and Order case. Despite these criticisms, the court remains a key institution in the judicial system of Pakistan, and continues to play an important role in shaping the country's legal system and protecting the rights of citizens, including the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.