Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has that a nine member bench of the SC would hear the appeal in Prime Minister Gilani’s contempt of court case. An additional judge and two ad-hoc judges would be included in the bench.
Addressing lawyers’ of the Sibi Bar, Chief Justice Chaudhry said that a seven member bench of the Supreme Court had given its verdict in the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Gilani. “If there is an appeal by the government then a nine member bench will hear it.”
“Three of the nine existing members cannot hear the case due to some reasons. If the appeal comes to us then there are six remaining judges.”
The chief justice said that measures being taken to fill the space of judges.
He said that two additional and one ad-hoc judge could be indicted in the Supreme Court.
Justice Chaudhry said that sometime executive takes decisions that affect people rights. He urged more efforts to strengthen judiciary.
Elaborating on the issue, Chief Justice Chaudhry said article 181 and 182 of the constitution contained provisions to meet this situation.
Chief Justice Chaudhry asked lawyers’ to cooperate with the judiciary to ensure that justice prevailed.
He said that he did not want to disclose the names of three judges who have apologized from hearing; so, we can’t conduct hearing of the case as we have only six judges, he said.
Chief Justice said that the institutions should work while keeping them within their jurisdiction. The establishment of Sibbi Bench would help facilitate the masses, he said.
He also stressed restoration of Sibbi Law College, raise the number of judges in Balochistan and establishment of new in far-flung areas. SANA
