• “Full court” term is not mentioned in Article 191-A: Justice Mazhar.
• Adds CJ has “no authority” in full court-related matters anymore. 
• Specific judges cannot be included in full court: Justice Mandokhail
  

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court’s Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar on Monday remarked that constitutional matters “will only be heard by the constitutional bench”.

Justice Mazhar passed these remarks as the SC constitutional bench, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din, heard several petitions filed against the 26th Constitutional Amendment passed by parliament in October 2024.

Other members of the bench include Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Ayesha A Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan, and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.

“Whether one likes it or not, the term full court is not mentioned in Article 191-A. Constitutional matters will only be heard by the constitutional bench.”

Justice Mazhar added that the petitioners want the chief justice to refer the matter to a full court, adding that, “under Article 191-A, the chief Justice no longer has that authority [to do so].”

Inquiring the counsel representing one of the petitioners, Justice Mazhar remarked that some parties suggested the exclusion of judges from the full court appointed after the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

“The judges you wish to include in the full court are indeed judges but not part of the constitutional bench,” he remarked.

During the hearing, Justice Jamal Mandokhail observed that a full court cannot mean a bench made up of specific judges. “You can only request a full court,” he told Advocate Abid Zuberi.

Justice Mandokhail said that if judges appointed before the 26th Amendment are to be included, some other judges would have to be left out.

Advocate Zuberi clarified that he is not suggesting the removal of any judges from the Supreme Court.

Justice Mandokhail then asked, “If the Judicial Commission declares that all Supreme Court judges are part of the constitutional bench, would you accept that?” To which Advocate Zuberi replied, “Yes, absolutely — we would accept it.”

The proceedings of the case were streamed live as per the earlier decision of the apex court. The court, after hearing the arguments, adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (Tuesday).

It is to be noted here that multiple political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), as well as various bar associations and former presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), had challenged the amendment back in October 2024.

The tweaks in the constitution, which have since come into effect, require the legislature to pick the chief justice, fixing the top post’s tenure, and forming constitutional benches.

Key points of 26th Amendment

• Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) tenure fixed at three years.
• Constitutional benches to be established at the SC and high courts.
• Senior-most judge of each bench to serve as presiding officer.
• Parliamentary committee to nominate new CJP from panel of three most senior judges.
• Committee to propose name to PM, who will then forward it to president for final approval.
• JCP, led by CJP and three others, responsible for appointment of SC judges.
• JCP to monitor judges’ performance, report any concerns to Supreme Judicial Council.
• Complete eradication of Riba (interest) from country by January 1, 2028.

Prince William’s desire to give his and Kate Middleton’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, a grounded, more ordinary upbringing is causing quiet concern among senior palace staff.

According to a new report, the Prince of Wales is focused on raising his family away from the royal mold, however, some insiders see his approach as potentially risky.

A source told Radar Online that the firm is drawing comparisons to Princess Diana’s past struggles with the “Men in Grey Suits.”

They fear that similar tensions may be resurfacing because William is determined and stubborn in his choices and insists on doing things his way.

“William’s vision is rooted in normality – he wants his kids George, Charlotte and Louis to grow up grounded,” they said.

“But some of the senior staff see that as a risk. They remember Diana’s battles with the Men in Grey Suits, and they see history repeating itself in a new form.”

The tipster further shared, “But William is pig-headed. He’s determined to do things his own way. The establishment – those Men in Grey Suits so feared and hated by Diana – are watching closely.

“They respect his instincts, but they’ll never let him forget that the monarchy survives not through change alone, but through community and presenting itself as all-powerful.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have released a major statement to mark a big day amid reports of new family tension at home.

According to royal expert Rob Shuter, Prince Harry is fuming over Meghan Markle’s decision to post new photos of their 4-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, on Instagram.

Meghan’s tribute for International Day of the Girl might have won hearts online, but it reignited one of the couple’s oldest arguments — privacy.

Amid this development, Meghan and Harry shared a joint statement to mark the day.

They shared the statement via their Archewell Foundation.

They said, “Last year, in celebration of International Day of the Girl, The Archewell Foundation joined Pivotal Ventures and the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation to support a partnership between Girls Inc. and #HalfTheStory: an initiative designed to provide digital wellness programming for young girls in underserved communities across America.

“On this International Day of the Girl, The Archewell Foundation is proud to see #HalfTheStory continue to expand this work. Over the summer, #HalfTheStory, launched the New York State x #HalfTheStory Teen Tech Council, ensuring youth voices are represented in shaping what healthy educational environments look like in a digital age.”

They continued the Archewell Foundation uplifts organizations like #HalfTheStory, “today and every day”, that empower young people and young girls to shape their digital futures and to ensure that every child has the tools, confidence, and support to thrive both online and offline.