CJP Yahya Afridi rejects proposal for full court hearing on 26th Amendment

Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, has responded to a letter from Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, rejecting his proposal for a full court hearing of petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The majority of members of the Judicial Commission supported Chief Justice Afridi's position, reported Express News on Friday.

The commission, chaired by CJP Afridi, convened to discuss the nomination of judges to high courts as well as the inclusion of additional judges in constitutional benches of the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court. 

During the meeting, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah suggested that the petitions against the 26th Amendment be heard by a full court. However, Chief Justice Afridi opposed the proposal, stating that the constitutional committee would determine how and by whom the petitions would be fixed for hearing.

Sources reported that CJP Afridi stressed that the Judicial Commission did not have the jurisdiction to bring up the 26th Amendment for discussion.

He stated that following the passage of the 26th Amendment, it was the responsibility of the constitutional bench committee to schedule hearings for constitutional cases.

The issue of creating rules for judicial appointments also arose in the meeting, with some members highlighting its significance.

The majority of the members agreed that a subcommittee should be tasked with drafting the rules for judicial appointments. The commission also granted CJP Afridi the authority to form the subcommittee responsible for this task.