Karachi Bar demands repeal of Practice & Procedure Ordinance

Condemning the promulgation of the Practice & Procedure Presidential Amendment Ordinance, the Karachi Bar Association on Saturday warned the government of a lawyers’ movement in case the ordinance was not repealed, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a resolution, the Bar said it had strong reservations over the dangers posed to the independence of the judiciary and the democratic principles in the country in the present circumstances.  

It was further stated that the Bar strongly condemned the promulgation of the ordinance without first discussing its contents in the parliament. “The ordinance will not only have effects on the courts’ decisions but it will also pave the way for horse trading,” read the resolution.

The Bar said it was strongly opposed to giving the chief justice of Pakistan the right to nominate the third member of the Practice and Procedure Committee. “The ordinance amounts to demeaning serving judges of the Supreme Court,” said the Bar, adding, “At the same time, the Bar is also opposed to the setting up of a Constitutional Court in the country in violation of the constitution.”

Likewise, the resolution said the Bar condemned the timing of the apex court’s verdict on the review petition filed in the case of interpretation of Article 63-A of the constitution.  

Reporter: Jawad Asif