Everyone is required to obey court instructions, even the chief justice: Abbasi, Justice Aqeel

ISLAMABAD (News Today): Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the seniormost judge on the Supreme Court, summoned Additional Registrar Nazar Abbas in person and sent him a show-cause notice for “non-scheduling” a matter pertaining to bench powers.

The constitutional and regular bench powers matter was heard by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who presided over the hearing as one of three members of the bench, along with Justices Ayesha Malik and Aqeel Abbasi.

One of the parties’ attorneys, Barrister Salahuddin, stood in court and stated that he had traveled from Karachi just for this case; however, the cause list had not been released, even though the court had directed that the hearing be scheduled for Monday.

The court was not told of the situation, said Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who ordered the extra registrar to be summoned right away to explain the delay.

The additional registrar was on leave because of illness, according to Deputy Registrar Zulfiqar Ahmed, who attended the hearing. Justice Shah questioned why the matter was not scheduled as instructed by the court.

In response, the deputy registrar stated that the Judges Committee has chosen to set the date for the constitutional bench to hear the matter pertaining to revisions on January 27. As a committee member, Justice Shah said he was surprised to learn of the decision.

Justice Ayesha Malik asked why the week’s cause list was altered, pointing out that tax cases were initially scheduled, and he questioned how an administrative committee could disregard a court decision.

“In my entire judicial career, I have never witnessed a case disappearing in this manner,” said Justice Ayesha Malik during the hearing.

All people, including the Chief Justice, are subject to court orders, Justice Aqeel Abbasi stated. Zulfiqar Ahmed, the deputy registrar, replied by telling the bench that the Judges Committee meeting minutes were still pending.

In addition to demanding any written instructions pertaining to the modifications in the cause list, the court ordered the production of the Judges Committee’s decision and meeting minutes.

The court demanded an explanation for the non-scheduled case and sent a show-cause notice to the extra registrar. The extra registrar was summoned in person, and the hearing was postponed until Tuesday.