ISLAMABAD, November 14, 2024: A six-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan began hearing a series of long-pending cases on Thursday, marking the first session under the newly formed bench established by the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
The bench, led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, is scheduled to hear a total of 34 cases over two days. Eighteen cases will be heard on Thursday, while the remaining 16 will be taken up on Friday, November 15.
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In addition to Justice Khan, the bench includes Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan.
Among the cases on the agenda, the bench will address several environmental matters, including a significant case pending since 1993.
Other key cases include a review petition challenging the dismissal of a case related to the nomination of Justice Qazi Faez Isa as Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, filed by lawyer Riaz Hanif Rai.
The bench will also hear a plea seeking the rescheduling of Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, with the petitioner requesting that the elections be held between February and March.
In addition, the bench will take up cases concerning the disqualification of lawmakers holding foreign assets, as well as petitions calling for a ban on government servants marrying foreign nationals.
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A suo motu case regarding the use of the Convention Centre in Islamabad for private purposes, raised by former Chief Justice Isa, is also among the matters to be addressed.
The hearings are seen as a crucial step in resolving several longstanding legal and constitutional issues, with particular attention to electoral reforms, governance, and environmental concerns.