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reduces petrol Justice Munib AkhtAr declAres sc ruling govt and diesel prices amid ongoing relief efforts 'illegAl' in Article 63-A review cAse Tuesday, 1 October, 2024 I | 26 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
Justice Akhtar says he could not be part of bench formed under Practice and Procedure Ordinance
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
IFFERENCES within the Supreme Court have intensified as a second letter from Justice Munib Akhtar surfaced within 12 hours, questioning the legality of the four-judge bench’s proceedings in the Article 63-A review case. In his latest letter to the Supreme Court Registrar, Justice Akhtar raised concerns about the composition of the bench, stating that a five-member larger bench was required to hear the case. “A four-member
bench cannot sit to review the Article 63A case,” Justice Akhtar wrote. He further noted that although the order from today’s hearing included his name, he had not signed it. “The four judges on the bench are honourable, but today’s proceedings are not in accordance with the law or court rules,” he said. “I want to register my protest against today’s order, which is not a judicial one and has no legal standing.” On the other hand, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has convened an important meeting of the Judges’ Practice and Procedure Committee for tomorrow at 9am.
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CJP Isa says he would ask Justice Akhtar to be part of the bench being author judge
Sources suggest that another judge may be inducted to replace Justice Akhtar in the Article 63-A review case. Earlier, Justice Akhtar had objected to the formation of benches and the judges’ committee. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah had also previously raised concerns about the amended ordinance under which the judges’ committee was formed. Justice Munib Akhtar also skipped a hearing on a petition seeking a review of the 2022 verdict on the defection clause under Article 63-A of the Constitution. The review plea, filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA),
was set to be taken up by a five-member larger bench at 11:30am on Monday. Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, the bench was supposed to comprise Justices Akhtar, Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel. Justice Akhtar’s decision comes against the backdrop of his removal from the three-judge committee established under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 after the promulgation of an amendment ordinance granting the CJP authority to select any judge as the committee’s third member.
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The federal government announced a reduction in fuel prices on Monday, cutting petrol by Rs2.07 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3.40 per litre for the upcoming fortnight. In a statement released by state broadcaster PTV, officials emphasized their commitment to easing the financial burden on citizens, noting, “The price of petroleum products has decreased once again.” The new petrol price is set at Rs247.03, while HSD will now cost Rs246.29. Additionally, the government reduced the price of kerosene oil by Rs3.57 to Rs154.90 and light diesel oil by Rs1.03 to Rs140.90. These recent cuts follow a previous announcement on September 15, when the government lowered petrol prices by Rs10 per litre and HSD by Rs13.06 per litre. Currently, the government imposes approximately Rs76 per litre in taxes on both petrol and HSD. Although the general sales tax on petroleum products is zero, a petroleum development levy of Rs60 per litre remains, impacting consumers significantly.