The Supreme Court decided on Thursday that no private person would be made party to the Mubarak Sani case review, but any individual or institution could make their written submission to the court within two weeks’ time.
Heading a three-member bench, including Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa ruled that the definition of ‘Musalman’ was written in the Constitution, which was final and binding upon all; therefore, there would be no discussion on that topic.
The chief justice stated that making law was the domain of parliament, while the court could only interpret the law and the Constitution. If anyone had any objection to the definition of ‘Musalman’, he added, one should go to parliament and get the Constitution amended.
The court, while devising the procedures for the hearing the case, declared that no one would be made a party but everyone would be heard. The bench asked the lawyer for various sides whether anyone had any objection to the case procedure.
Lawyer Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui supported the chief justice, while lawyer Kamran Murtaza stressed the authority of the court to regulate its proceedings. The chief justice said that anyone wanted to give opinions on the matter, could submit written statement within two weeks.
After receiving the opinions, the chief justice said that bench would could prepare a questionnaire and seek answers. During the hearing, Justice Irfan Saad Khan suggested the appointment of Mufti Taqi Usmani as amicus curie.
