ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench heard 18 cases on its first day of proceedings, addressing key legal and constitutional issues. The bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, focused on environmental pollution, the appointment of Qazi Faez Isa, foreign marriages involving parliamentarians, the rescheduling of the February 8 elections, and various petitions concerning foreign assets and bank accounts.
Environmental Pollution Takes Priority
The bench heard the first case, which was 31 years old, addressing environmental pollution. The case sought action from both the federal and provincial governments to tackle the growing issue. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail stressed the importance of provincial involvement in solving this problem, as pollution remains one of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges.
He raised concerns about the expansion of housing societies on agricultural land, suggesting that promoting a shift towards flat culture could help mitigate the environmental impact. Moreover, justice Aminuddin Khan emphasized the need for practical solutions instead of mere documentation, urging authorities to act decisively.
Dismissal of Petition on Qazi Faez Isa’s Appointment
The bench dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Qazi Faez Isa as Chief Justice of Balochistan. The petitioner, lawyer Riaz Hanif Rahi, argued that no individual could be directly appointed as CJ and that the Chief Minister of Balochistan had not sent the official summary for Isa’s appointment.
Justice Mandokhail rejected the claim, stating that the court could not review the original case. He warned the lawyer about submitting frivolous petitions and suggested referring the matter to the Bar Council for further action. Justice Musarrat Hilali advised against personal attacks and questioned whether the case was more political than legal.
Dismissal of Other Petitions
The bench addressed multiple petitions, including one seeking a change to the February 8 election schedule. The court dismissed the petition, as well as cases related to foreign assets and bank accounts. A petition calling for a ban on marriages between Pakistani officials and foreign nationals was also dismissed. The petitioners were fined Rs 60,000 for initiating frivolous litigation.
Justice Mandokhail suggested imposing fines on such petitions to discourage abuse of the legal system. The bench also disposed of petitions against the amendments to the election schedule, foreign property holdings, and marriage regulations, each with fines imposed on the petitioners for filing baseless cases.
Notice Reissued in Petition Against Arif Alvi
A petition challenging the appointment of former President Arif Alvi was revisited. The court had previously failed to serve notice to Alvi, so a fresh notice was issued in the case. Justice Mandokhail recommended imposing fines on petitioners who file frivolous cases to reduce the backlog of pending cases.
Final Remarks and Disposition of Cases
The bench advanced proceedings on four cases and concluded 14 on the first day. The bench also imposed fines of Rs20,000 each on petitioners in cases regarding foreign marriages and foreign properties. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that allowing such petitions could set a dangerous precedent, leading to calls for bans on marriages altogether. Justice Mandokhail noted that thousands of cases remain pending due to similar frivolous petitions, further clogging the court’s docket.
Follow Day News on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
