ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has enacted a new law to provide the right of appeal against conviction by the Supreme Court under its original jurisdiction, possibly creating an opportunity for former PM Nawaz Sharif to challenge his disqualification, it emerged on Monday. Sharif was disqualified in 2017 by a five-member bench of the top court but he couldn’t file an appeal as there was no law to challenge the judgment of the top judiciary.
President Arif Alvi on Friday signed the SC (Review of Judgements and Orders) Bill, 2023 that provides the right of appeal under Article 184 of the constitution, which was not available in the past. The law applies to past verdicts as well.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, “it is necessary to ensure the fundamental right to justice by providing for meaningful review of judgments and orders passed by the SC in the exercise of its original jurisdiction under Article 184″. It also states that in case of the SC judgment under Article 184 of the constitution, the scope of review shall be the same as an appeal under Article 185.
President Arif Alvi on Friday signed the SC (Review of Judgements and Orders) Bill, 2023 that provides the right of appeal under Article 184 of the constitution, which was not available in the past. The law applies to past verdicts as well.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, “it is necessary to ensure the fundamental right to justice by providing for meaningful review of judgments and orders passed by the SC in the exercise of its original jurisdiction under Article 184″. It also states that in case of the SC judgment under Article 184 of the constitution, the scope of review shall be the same as an appeal under Article 185.