The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that only Chief Justice of Pakistan is the sole authority to invoke jurisdiction of Suo Moto.
A five member bench was formed by acting Chief Justice Umer Atta Bandial after a two member bench led by Justice Qazi Faiz Isa took suo-moto notice of an application by journalists against harassment faced by them.
The division bench had summoned a number of government functionaries regarding the case and also directed the registrar to fix the case before the same bench on 25th of August. The Suo Moto was taken after a journalist handed over an application to Justice Qazi Faiz Isa in open court.
Acting Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial went on to form a larger bench to decide who could invoke the jurisdiction of Suo Moto and the decision is out today.
During the arguments in court, lawyer of journalist Amir Mir conceded before the larger bench that proper procedures and rules were not followed while filing their application.
“The Chief Justice of Pakistan is the sole authority by and through whom the said jurisdiction can be, and is to be, invoked/assumed” reads the order. The order also says that the substantive claims made by Press Association of Supreme Court and others in the application shall be placed before the Chief Justice of Pakistan for consideration.
