CB bench trades light remarks amid speculation over constitutional court’s location
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-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Friday made comments and exchanged interesting remarks with regard to the proposed amendment which the ruling PML-N is going to present in parliament soon — without ever naming it.
The CB led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, was hearing a case related to Civil Service Rules.
During the hearing when Justice Khan asked whether the case would be concluded today, Advocate Faisal Siddiqi requested that it be decided today because he did not want to argue it in the Federal Shariat Court’s building, where the new court is speculated to be set up.
“If you had to take a building, why choose the Federal Shariat Court’s?” he asked — a remark that brought smiles to the judges’ faces.
Siddiqi further suggested that if they had 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 bill — remarked that there had been some progress overnight in the lawyer’s favour.
The counsel noted that he had firm belief that nothing could harm the Supreme Court. Justice Mandokhail responded that if he had such a faith, then there was nothing to worry about.
Siddiqi further remarked that the judges looked quite grand in the courtroom. Justice Mandokhail remarked that changing the building will not reduce our powers. The hearing was later adjourned.
