Supreme Court postpones proceedings after legal arguments over jurisdiction, while the related Islamabad High Court hearing remains scheduled for July 24.
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the case involving lawyer and rights activist Imaan Mazari after extensive arguments over legal jurisdiction and the relationship between Supreme Court and High Court proceedings.
During the hearing, the Additional Attorney General informed the court that the related case has already been fixed for hearing before the Islamabad High Court on July 24.
Counsel for Imaan Mazari told the bench that the High Court matter had been scheduled because of the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court. Senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqi argued that justice could only be ensured through the Supreme Court, adding that the previous hearing had been postponed due to the prosecution.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that the Supreme Court could not “sit here and regulate the proceedings of the High Court.” In response, Siddiqi argued that the Supreme Court had, in several cases, issued directions to High Courts.
Justice Mazhar clarified that there is a legal distinction between regulating proceedings and issuing judicial directions, emphasizing that the two concepts should not be treated as the same.
Before the hearing concluded, Faisal Siddiqi requested the bench to first hear his arguments on the legal question of maintainability. Alternatively, he suggested that the matter could be adjourned for two weeks.
The Supreme Court subsequently postponed the hearing. Meanwhile, proceedings in the related matter are expected to continue before the Islamabad High Court on July 24, subject to the court’s schedule.
About The Author
